Page 109 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• the wound is contaminated by grit, hair or other foreign material

• the skin is not viable due to crushing or loss of blood supply
VetBooks.ir • bacterial infection is present

•
there is a deep puncture with dirt trapped in the deeper tissues
• the wound is more than eight hours old.

There are occasional exceptions to these guidelines. A large, contaminated wound may be
cleaned and treated with antibiotics for a few days before being surgically debrided and
sutured. Additionally, if a horse is too shocked for sedation to be safe and will not allow the

wound to be treated, there are occasions when it can be successfully sutured the following
day provided it is kept clean and protected.

Suturing is therefore done at the discretion of the vet, following close inspection of the
wound. If all is well, sutures are removed 10–14 days later. However, sutured wounds

sometimes pull apart and are said to have ‘broken down’. This is usually due to foreign
material or infection in the wound. The skin edges are no longer in apposition and healing

proceeds by granulation. This is second intention healing.

Healing of open wounds that cannot be sutured

Problems can arise with wounds that cannot be sutured or have broken down. Wounds on the

head and trunk are difficult to bandage. However, these often heal well without being
covered if they are kept very clean (Figure 3.9). Sticky plaster-type dressings with absorbent,

non-stick pads in the centre can be useful in these situations. If necessary, your vet will apply
a whole body bandage. Clean paper or cardboard is the most suitable bedding if a wound has

to be left uncovered.