Tag: wound treatment

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Moist or Dry: Which Heals Better and Why?

Moist or Dry: Which Heals Better and Why?

The debate over whether wounds should be exposed to air or kept covered in a moist environment is rooted in historical beliefs about the benefits of air and the origins of disease.

Choosing the best environment plays a critical role in their recovery and well-being. This decision impacts healing speed, infection risk, and the horse’s comfort throughout the process. 

By examining the benefits and considerations of both approaches, we can determine the most effective method to ensure optimal wound healing outcomes for these animals.

Benefits of a Moist Environment 

  1. Enhanced cell growth and tissue formation
  2. Reduced pain and discomfort
  3. Lower infection rates

Drawbacks of a Dry Environment

  1. Delayed healing process
  2. Increased risk of scab formation and potential complications
  3. Higher likelihood of pain and discomfort for the patient

Research

While air is essential for living tissue, the notion that wounds heal better when exposed to air has been disproven by research. Studies, such as George Winter’s work in 1962, have shown that wounds heal more effectively in a moist environment due to factors like improved cell growth, faster tissue formation, reduced pain, and lower infection rates compared to dry environments. 

Things to consider

For a wound to heal well, there are all sorts of things to consider, such as: 

  • Temperature – it’s not good for a wound to get too hot or too cold
  • Hydration – moisture helps cells grow, and helps speed up the formation of new tissue
  • pH – it’s not good for a wound to be too acidic, or too alkaline
  • The presence of microbes (bacteria, and such)

To learn the bandaging strategies for horse wounds, read the article “Equine First Aid: Bandaging Strategies for Horse Wounds” 

It’s advisable to work with your veterinarian when seeking to promote faster healing in a horse’s wound. 

CONCLUSION

Despite concerns about bacterial growth in moist conditions, evidence suggests that moist dressings actually promote the body’s natural defenses and result in better overall healing outcomes. Therefore, rather than focusing on exposing wounds to air, maintaining a protective, moist environment is recommended for optimal wound healing in horses.

Further reading: 

Should Healing Wounds Be Moist or Dry? – David Ramey, DVM (doctorramey.com)

Equine First Aid: Bandaging Strategies for Horse Wounds – My Horse Supplies

Equine First Aid: Handling Level 3 Wounds in Horses – My Horse Supplies

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Equine First Aid: Bandaging Strategies for Horse Wounds

Equine First Aid: Bandaging Strategies for Horse Wounds

Correct Bandaging is one of the most important parts of wound management. Too tight and the circulation is compromised. Too loose and the bandage falls down and doesn’t provide the protection it needs to. 

Guide to Proper Bandaging

  • If the wound is between the knee and the fetlock, make sure to bandage the full leg between the joints to minimise potential swelling as blood will tend to pool above the fetlock joint if there is bruising that slows circulation or if horses movement is restricted. Vet Wrap is the perfect bandage to use for these situations. 
  • Bandaging below the fetlock to the coronet needs an adhesive bandage to keep it in place, otherwise it will ride up and sit around the fetlock. Light Rip is ideal for this area as it has elastic to provide firmness without being too tight, yet can be stuck to the hair or hoof to keep it from moving. The adhesive in Light Rip is a medium level that means it stays put, but will come off easily when pulled and doesn’t pull the hair out. 
  • For wounds around joints such as knee or hock, you may use a combination of Vet Wrap for the main wrapping over padding and Light Rip at top and bottom to help hold in place. Other times, just using the Light Rip will be appropriate, where the additional stickiness, without too much pressure is required.
  • For maximum support, where you want the bandage to stay in place for a longer time and need full support without stretch, then Elastoplast is ideal. Just remember that the adhesive in it is meant to stay attached, so only put a small amount over the edge of the padding to stick to the hair, as you won’t get it off without ripping hair out.

Please note:

If you are wrapping with any pressure make sure there is adequate padding under the bandage so that circulation is not affected. Leave a little padding out the top and bottom of the bandage so the edges don’t dig in and have a tourniquet effect.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, mastering bandaging techniques is a vital skill for every horse owner when it comes to equine first aid. Properly bandaging horse wounds can aid in their healing process. It can also prevent complications, and ensure the well-being of our equine companions. 

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Equine First Aid: Handling Level 3 Wounds in Horses

Equine First Aid: Handling Level 3 Wounds in Horses

In the intricate world of equine health, injuries and wounds are unfortunate yet inevitable aspects of a horse’s life. Among the various types of wounds, Level 3 wounds stand out as significant challenges, demanding careful attention, prompt intervention, and specialized care. 

Recognizing the gravity of these wounds is crucial for horse owners, caretakers, and equine health professionals, as the timely and appropriate response can significantly impact the healing process and long-term well-being of the horse.

This article serves as a guide in recognizing and effectively managing Level 3 wounds in horses.

Key Signs in Identifying Level 3 Wounds in Horses

  1. Depth of the Wound
  2. Visible Tissue Damage
  3. Excessive Bleeding
  4. Pain and Discomfort
  5. Abnormal Swelling
  6. Altered Range of Motion
  7. Visible Foreign Objects
  8. Changes in Behavior
  9. Foul Odor

First Aid Techniques

  1. If the wound is large enough to require bandaging, or needs protection from flies while it heals, apply Golden Honey Healing Ointment, cover the area to be bandaged with cotton wool / gauze padding and then bandage with Vet Wrap, Light Rip or Elastoplast.
  2. Generally if you’ve got to the wound quickly and done a good job of cleaning and bandaging, then it’s better to leave the bandage in place for 2-3 days at a time to give it time to work on the healing process undisturbed.
  3. To maximise the healing process, wash the wound with Colloidal Silver, not water, when changing the bandage.
  4. Make sure to check the bandages twice daily though and if they’ve slipped at all take them off and redo them. 
  5. Check regularly how the wound smells as this is a good indicator of whether it’s healing well, or needs attention. If it smells bad, then remove the bandage immediately, check for any reason for the smell such as debris not removed properly, clean the wound and reapply dressing.
  6. Colloidal Silver is good to add to their feed while they are mending as it helps to raise their immunity, and acts as an antibacterial booster. 60- 100 ml twice per day in their feed will help promote the healing and reduce infection.

Deeper cuts may require vet attention for debriding (cleaning the surface of dead tissue) or stitching prior to ointment application and bandaging. If you have any concerns with the wound, if it’s a puncture wound near a joint, or if it smells bad, then definitely call your vet. 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, properly handling Level 3 wounds in horses is crucial for their well-being and recovery. By following the steps outlined in this article, horse owners and caretakers can effectively address these serious injuries with confidence and care. Remember to stay calm, assess the situation thoroughly, and seek professional veterinary assistance when necessary. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can provide your horse with the best possible first aid treatment in times of need. 

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Healing Ointment for a Hoof Wound

Frantic Call for Help

We got a call for help following a paddock incident that resulted in this wound.

There had been wet weather and the only thing that could be guessed is that the horse had been galloping and hit something hidden in the mud that has sliced off the back quarter of the hoof.

This was on the third day, after the vet had been and cut off the excess, and left it bandaged.

The wound was dirty, unhealthy tissue was forming, and the black areas indicate dead tissue which was at risk of becoming infected.

We supplied a tub of Golden Honey Healing Ointment, with instructions for use.  By the next bandage change at 6 days, there was already a significant improvement.

The wound bed was clean, all the dead and dying tissue was cleaned out, and good healthy tissue was starting to grow in the bottom of the hole.

The lovely pink colour indicates good blood flow with healthy hoof tissue regrowing.

Even better news this horse was able to successfully compete 6 weeks later in the next dressage competition heats he was entered for.

Due to the strong tissue integrity of the new growth that refilled the hole he finished his tests sound.

Watch the video below to see the progress of the wound during the healing process.