Volume 1, Issue 7

THE WOUND DILEMMA

Head Wounds

Head wounds can be caused by a variety of situations, such as bumping their head on a stall feeder; the urge to rub itchy skin; squeezing their head between fence posts in search of greener grass or being blind in one or both eyes. Although these types of wounds look severe and have a tendency to bleed profusely, they usually heal wonderfully well due to the amply supply of blood to this area.  Even an eyelid that is almost completely torn away, or a nostril that is torn almost in half, will usually heal fully, with minimal scaring.

Flow Chart

1) Is there cloudiness or excessive tearing of your horse’s eye, indicating that the eye itself may be injured?
YES > CALL YOUR VET
  *
NO
  *

2) Is there any exposed bone or cartilage? (common in face cuts due to the limited muscle covering the skull)
YES > CALL YOUR VET
  *
 NO
  *       
3) Is there a large loose  “flap”, such as a tear in the nostril, or eyelid?
YES> CALL YOUR VET
  *
NO
  *

4) Is it a full-thickness skin wound, where cosmetic healing is important?
YES>CALL YOUR VET
  *
 NO
  *
 5) Will your horse allow you to treat the injury?
NO >CALL YOUR VET
  *
 YES
  *

Apply Home Treatment

>  Using a syringe, flush the wound several times with a dilute Betadine/water solution (if your horse objects, you may have to apply the solution with a gauze pad) then apply a triple-antibiotic ointment, Furacine, or Biozide gel.

>  Until the wound has closed, flush and reapply ointment daily to remove any dirt or debris.

>  For injuries close to your horse’s eye, apply a non-steroidal antibiotic ophthalmic ointment in the eye as a precaution against possible cornea involvement and to prevent possible infection.  Make sure you read the label carefully before application.  NEVER use an ointment containing a steroid into your horse’s eye unless directed by your vet.  Always remember, when in doubt, call your Vet.

>  Watch carefully for signs of more serious damage than originally seen. This includes profuse or prolonged drainage (indicating bone involvement), prolonged nasal discharge (indicating a sinus infection), tearing or cloudiness of the eye (indicating injury).  If you see any of these signs, call your vet immediately.