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Weitz Equine
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12427 124th Ct. E.
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Northfield, MN 55057
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paulweitzdvm@aol.com
Phone: 507.301.3400
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Fax: 507.645.8885
| EMERGENCY
PAGER: 612-534-2086 |
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LEG INJURY
Eye Injury
· Canker
· White Line
Disease
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Kate, a palomino
Quarter Horse mare,
was being trailered
when she got her
hind leg caught up
in a panel in the
trailer. In the
process of trying to
free herself, she
acquired a degloving
injury of her right
hind limb (photo
left).
This type of injury
to the dorsal
(front) part of the
hind limb just below
the hock is fairly
common in horses.
The typical scenario
is that they get a
leg stuck through a
fence when kicking
at flies or horses
or get hung up in a
stall or trailer.
The offending
obstacle then tears
the skin and tissue
from the dorsal
surface of the leg
as they try to get
free.
Thankfully, an
injury to the dorsal
surface is easier to
handle than an
injury to the back
part of the leg
where all the
important tendons
and ligaments are.
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The extensor
tendons DO run
over the dorsal
surface of the
hind limb but
even when
damaged or
severed (as in
Kate's case-
photo 2) a
horse can
maintain normal
function of the
leg. The key to
good healing of
these types of
wounds is
keeping them
clean and well
bandaged. This
is not a wound
that you want to
try to manage
yourself- Call
the vet!
What did we
do for Kate?
Initially, a
thorough
cleaning and
debridement
(removal) of
contaminated
tissue.
Antiinflammatory
and antibiotic
therapy was
prescribed in
the initial
stages to
minimize
swelling,
discomfort and
prevent
infection. The
wound was then
bandaged
(photo 3) to
protect the
exposed tissue .
This bandage was
changed on a
weekly basis
with the wound
being cleaned
each time and
further debrided
if necessary.
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photo 2 |
photo 3 |
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Over weeks,
the wound
began to
fill in with
healthy,
pink
granulation
tissue
(photo
left). We
will
continue to
keep the
wound in a
clean
bandage to
protect the
area as
Kate's body
continues to
heal. Kate
has not
shown any
signs of
lameness
since the
injury.
KEYS TO
WOUND
HEALING
1. Call your
vet! Even if
it looks
minor, there
is often
more damage
then is
evident on
the surface.
Have us take
a look or at
least talk
to you about
the wound.
2. KEEP IT
CLEAN.
Thorough
cleaning and
removal of
contaminated
tissue.
3. Bandaging
if the area
is amenable.
Covered
wounds
always heal
faster and
lead to less
scarring.
Remember,
you can
cause
problems
with
improper
bandaging,
so if you
are not
experienced,
call your
vet before
trying to
bandage a
wound.
4.
Prevention
of proud
flesh on
lower leg
wounds.
Pressure
bandaging
and
appropriate
application
of Panalog
ointment
help prevent
excessive
granulation
tissue or
proud flesh.
5. Time.
Wounds take
time to
heal. That
may mean the
horse needs
to be
stalled or
confined for
several
weeks if
necessary.
Bandages and
wounds don't
respond well
to galloping
in a muddy
pasture. |
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© 2009 Weitz
Equine
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