VIEW CART
Initial Steps Are Vital
The initial treatment of puncture wounds is as vital as that of any other type of lameness, Brock says, and the chance of a full recovery diminishes drastically if that initial treatment is incorrect or inadequate.
|
This is the same foot, 4 days later. Another large infection had formed from the punctured deep flexor tendon. Surprisingly, the horse showed very little lameness at this time. |
Although Brock believes horses with puncture wounds should be taken to a veterinarian, he stresses that this indicates no lack of respect for horseshoers.
He prefers to work alongside a farrier on these cases, partly so the horse can be shod with something that puts the least amount of pressure on the affected area and keeps it clean.
He also believes horseshoers can generally assess the foot better, and have the tools and ability to drill a properly sized drainage hole to the abscess.
“Some veterinarians have the tendency to go in there and just murder the bottom of the foot. I’m not trying to cut down my profession, but we want that thing to drain. We want that stuff to come out the bottom and not go up into something that has a name,” he says. “Farriers are generally a little more conservative when carving a hole through to live tissue.”
Back To The Intricacies And Dangers Of Puncture Wounds
