Veterinary Treatments & Medications for Horsemen - Hardcover

This book is part of the Equine Research, Inc. library set-a highly respected collection of eight books that should form the foundation of every horse person's bookshelf.

Punctures
One of the more serious types of wounds is a puncture wound. This type of injury is deeper than it is wide, and consequently is hard to cleanse. Thus, a wound of this type is often a prime site of infection. Puncture wounds may be classified in three ways:
1. as penetrating wounds, which go into a body cavity
2. as perforating wounds, which go into a body cavity and back out again
3. as stabbing wounds, which go only into deep tissue
Because puncture wounds cannot be completely reached by air (due to their characteristic shape), they are often susceptible to infections of tetanus, a disease caused by germs active only in anaerobic (airless) conditions.
Although signs of this disease may not appear for up to three weeks after a wound has healed, it is vital that toxoid or antitoxin injection be given within 24 to 48 hours after an injury occurs. The booster of tetanus antitoxin or toxoid, depending on past immunization, is immediately necessary, for the toxoid or antitoxin will have no effect after the signs of tetanus have appeared.
Punctures of the Hoof
Most puncture wounds that occur in the hoof are the result of nail injuries. If a nail is found in the hoof, it should be carefully pulled out and its site of entry noted. If the nail has dislodged and the location of the hole is not known, hoof tester can be used to detect the sore area in the foot. Once the entry site has been located, the sole should be pared with a hoof knife until the hole is reached and an opening for drainage made from the bottom of the hole, widening as it extends toward the surface of the sole. If infection is suspected, the foot should be soaked in either hot, antiseptic solutions or in warm water with magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) added. The hole can then be packed with iodine-soaked cotton, which should be changed daily for several days. If swelling and inflammation do not subside, an operation to drain the abscess will often be required. Usually, after this operation, a horse may be shod with a shoe having an attached steel plate of rubber pads which can be periodically removed for examining the injured area.