NEW WOUND TREATMENT
Dr. Hayes went to the Texas Equine Vet Association seminar on wound treatment where a new protocol using salt/water mix solutions was discussed. This method is very effective in healing and preventing infection because bacteria cannot grow in a salty environment. The wounds were cleaned initially, then daily, with salt water and bandaged. Wounds kept bandaged healed twice as fast because the new cells can migrate in the moist bandaged environment. Two new wound dressing pads to use under a bandage were discussed. Calcium algonate which promotes granulation tissue to cover exposed bone rapidly, and a silicone pad that reduces scarring. Hydro therapy with the water hose is good initially to remove dirt, pus and dead tissue. But contrary to previous practice, not recommended daily. Vigorous hosing makes the cells swell which delays healing. Scrubbing the wound daily (especially with chlorhex or betadine iodine soap) removes the bacteria but delays healing by removing the new healing cells. Treatment with a salt water solution and bandage had the best results and often did not require the use of antibiotics (Penicillin).
To make your salt water solution
8 teaspoons or 2 ½ tablespoons non iodized plain salt to 1 gallon water in a 1 gallon pump up sprayer. Use the entire gallon to clean/hydro the wound. Write the recipe on the sprayer and make up a new batch daily to spray and treat wound.
Salt wound dressing.
Mix ½ cup salt to 1 quart (4 cups) boiling water. Using the cooled solution, thoroughly wet 4×4 gauze squares and store in a zip lock bag. This is great for your 1st aid kit (at home or trailer) because no bacteria will grow in it. If the horse is injured, use the squares to pack the wound and then bandage. This keeps the wound moist and healthy and increases the possibility it can be stitched, even the next day.
For Hoof wounds
Soak in vinegar using a 1:4 dilution. Mix 2oz white vinegar to 8oz water, then soak 15 min. Rinse with salt water mix and bandage the foot to keep dirt out. Vinegar makes the water acidic so no bacteria can grow.
Wound dressings
Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment has no antibiotic resistance to it, so it is still good to use.
Silver Sulphadiazine ointment is good without a bandage and prevents proud flesh/excess scar tissue.
Silver impregnated gauze works well and can be rinsed and reused daily.
Zaracyl ointment prevents bacterial growth, and promotes healing without proud flesh.
Furacin or nitrofurazone (the yellow ointment) is not good for wounds; it is ineffective & causes proud flesh.
Honey is good. It removes bacteria and promotes healing
Wound exam
Often owners will send Dr. Hayes photos of their horse’s cut and ask if it needs her attention. Dr. Hayes needs to examine the wound manually with her gloved hand to make that determination. Some wounds cannot be stitched, especially if the skin edges are too swollen or dried out to hold a stitch. Wounds that have a pocket will collect pus and will not drain. A puncture wound must be probed to determine the depth of the hole. Wounds near a joint or tendon can be serious if either one is involved. She will view a picture sent by a client, but it is most often not a question that can be answered with a photo.
NON-SWEATING HORSES
Due to the extreme heat, I have seen several horses that lost the ability to sweat and cool themselves. The signs are rapid respiration, panting, and little to no sweating on the neck and chest. Currently, there is no treatment that works for all horses. One A/C powder helps if you start feeding it in March. A Dark beer on the feed daily helps some horses that are marginal. The omega oil with Himalayan salt is expensive and did not work. Acupuncture works if done in May before it gets hot
All you can do now is management.
- Try to keep the horse cool. Hose it twice for 5 minutes every evening
- Keep the horse in a pasture with a lot of shade trees so there is shade all day
- Put the horse up in a stall with a mister fan during the day and let out at night
- Don’t ride the horse.
Castrations after September 25 when it gets cool
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