WARNING ..GRAPHIC PICS !!! I might have to put him down...any ideas ?!

[BorderKelpie]

phenylbutazone is not an antibiotic, it is an anti-inflammatory agent. Also, what the vets forget to tell people, it is dangerous for humans, It can cause hemolytic anemia. Are you using tablets or paste? To be safe, wear gloves when administering it. It is safe for your horse, but could be dangerous for you. Although, I know you're not ingesting it, it just pays to be careful. Before we kew of the dangers of it, my grandmother was taking it for arthritis pain. It stopped to pain, but it also killed her. Be careful.
On the subject of your horse. I have found hydrotherapy (hosing it daily) to be the best method for my horses' injuries. Time and water heals an aweful lot with horses.
(I agree, you need a better vet!)
Best wishes for a full recovery. Hang in there.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Wow, i'm sorry to hear that... I'm lucky in that I have 2 vets with in a reasonable distance from my farm. I also understand about the money situation... We own our own electrical contracting co. The builder that we did the most amount of work for filed chapter 11 bankrupcy a few months ago. We lost a lot of $, and have been doing everything we can to save everything possible. I honestly haven't had the vet out since Lager... I have been taking care of everything as far as my animals are concerned.

You can get penecilin at tractor supply or probably a local feed store or somewhere that has bovine/equine supplies. Read the directions - and be careful when giving it. Double check that you do not have the needle in a vein. Keep banamine on hand just in case you do accidentally get a vein.

Clean the wound and change bandages at least daily if not more. There is also an epsom salt poultice that is very nice to use, which could be helpful when bandaging him back up.

 

[unionwirewoman]

Quote:
Thank you for clarifying that . Yes I do know it's a anti-inflamatory and pain releiver . In my haste of posting I put it under antibiotic . Thanks for catching that ....don't want people reading this and get the wrong advice . Never knew about it being harmful to humans.....good to know ! we are using it as a paste , so gloves might be a good precaution ( well for my roomate...I tend to be more hard headed "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger ) I know ...I'm just asking for it !


So do we all agree on cleaning it with water atleast once a day ? This is what I've gathered from my post .

I was just afraid that cleaning it might interfere with new cell/tissue growth . We had wondered if we should do it days ago . Why in the world wouldn't the vet tell me this !!!

 

[ravencreek]

I'm sorry if I am giving you the same advice as someone else but I didn't want to take time to read all the responses.

Seeing those pictures brings back too many memories. I had a mare that went through a fence and she had similar wounds. Very nasty to the joint deep wounds.

Here is what I did. Bash me if you like but we couldn't afford a vet nor did we have a trailer and vets here don't make farm calls.

A few times a day I would wash her wound with the hose and some liquid dish soap. When I dressed it I used a homemade mixture of neosporin, Blue Lotion and betadine. I also gave her penicillin twice a day and removed the proud flesh that appeared. It was a long time before she would bare weight but I worked her a little everyday to keep the leg moving and blood circulating. 3 months of hard work, care and love and she barely has a scar. Yes I said 3 months. It was a really bad wound and I had to keep removing proud flesh and dead tissues.

 

[jmhappycowboy]

I am very sorry to hear what has happened to your horse and even more sorry to hear all the really bad advice that the so called vet gave you concerning the care of him. You have been given some really great advice here though. I to would advise the daily cleaning of the wound.

I have dealt with several different horses with wounds this bad and worse and they have healed and doing great to this day.

Another thing that I believe in that is not mentioned and others may not but it works for me is that I think it does the wound a lot of good to be left open for a few hours every day as long as the weather isn't bad. I always keep a product called Alushield on hand which works great to form a bandage over wounds that can't be wrapped. After washing the wound I spray this product on the wound and leave all bandages off.

I hope only the very best for you and your boy.

 

[California Ducken]

The vet didn't tell you because he probably doesn't want to deal with it . Getting rid of dead cells (debriding) helps the wound to heal, so infection is less likely to occur. In human ulcerations that are bad, we debrid every two to three days and wrap it up with meds.
Your vet does NOT have a personal attachment to your baby as you do.
YES get your baby on antibiotics ASAP!
We are saying prayers and pulling for you two!!!!

 

[SangaChicken]

I have horses. 26 to be exact. Your horse doesn't need to be put down until the horse tells you he's ready to be put down. Not putting weight on it doesn't mean anything. If he's not eating, not drinking, lethargic or trying to roll repetitively.. then consider it. Otherwise, take matters into your own hands. Your vet is recommending the easiest and least expensive options. The burn cream is okay at best. Here is what I would do:

CLEAN that wound! When have you ever heard of not cleaning a wound? Seriously?

Bandaging it is good, but expose it to some sunshine. The healing properties in sunshine and fresh air are invaluable. Do this every day, when cleaning it, then rebandage.

Push the antibiotics. CLEAN THE WOUND SOME MORE. Mix the burn cream with Furison ointment (This will heal like nothing you've ever seen and is 100% safe and effective on horses. It will speed healing up, like instantly. And it's similar to vaseline in consistency so it works as a sealant on the wound, which aids in healing as well.. it's just wonderful. If you can't get any, I will MAIL you some, just PM me. Its a miracle healer.) Also add triple antibiotic neosporin... why the vet doesn't have an antibiotic cream on the wound is beyond me. Up your horses vitamin suppliments to give him a boost.

Your horse should have also been given a cortisone injection to aid with inflamation. Don't give up on this horse. He CAN and WILL make a recovery, but you've got to be proactive.

 

[unionwirewoman]

ALRIGHT !!! You guys are giving me some hope now ! I do have a few questions though .


1. The place I'm keeping him now is our corral which is dust ridden .We have 36 acres , but I don't want him walking up and down the mountain with his injury . I can rope off our lawn so that the wound can breathe . Should I do this ?

2. wound washing 1-2 times a day ? The vet is going to give more bute , but I'm afraid he won't like the washing much ( doesn't like getting a bath , might make dressing him more difficult )

3. He HATES needles . Don't ask me why ...he was great up until 2 yrs ago . We had to twitch him at the vet to get a sedative into him and he still raired up . Should I twitch him if he starts really acting up while washing and dressing ( We've tried raising a foot...all he does is try to fall over on you , and getting his ear does nothing....he had 1/2 of them frost bit off when he was born .)

4. Do we think epsom salt is the best then ?


Sorry to post so much and with so many long ones......but besides my husband , this guy is my world .

 

[TACEYPERKINS]

I agree with SANGACHICKEN the air works wonders. The bandage in the picture looked to me like it had been on too long. Air and sunshine are free and one of your best tools at fighting this right now. Also, the washing of the wound. It should be done everyday. You should not worry about dissrupting any new tissue growth. If you do not clean it, the tissue will start to die, trap infection inside and you will have a very sick horse really fast. You can help your horse, he is not too far gone. I understand about the $ issue. But, he can be saved with very little $ out of pocket. You have alot of good info on this forum.
I also had an idea, if you felt like you needed someone else to physically help you. Is there someone at a horse farm in your area that might be able to help you. Or another horse owner that maybe has gone through this. They may have exactly what you need and you can get some assistance too instead of your vet.
I trully think you can do this. You have to get on this and stay strong. It will be along process, but worth it. Good luck~ Tacey

 

[DebbieLynn]

OK here's my 2 cents worth.......I just had basically the same thing happen to a thoroughbred broodmare, same leg, except we aren't sure what caused her injury. This mare was also in foal and we gave her penicillin injections daily and bute and also at one point she was getting bactrim orally, after a couple of weeks with no improvement and at our wits end I tried something from my grandmothers remedies and it worked! I agree you should be doing daily hosings and dressing changes. Make a poultice of raw potatoes ( I know, but trust me on this it works). I just peeled potatoes and then shredded them up then applied it to the cleaned wound covered with bandage and then it stayed until next dressing change. You should definately have the boy on penicillin, but don't give up! He can be healed with a lot of work. I have to say the maggots do work and I have seen it work but the potatoes are easier on my stomach! I would at least try it, it won't harm the horse and it's actually cheap. Wishing you well, I know how awful it is to think there's nothing you can do, but you can fix this!Keep us updated on his condition.