Bed sores on my mare's legs?!

Question

My mare who I bought last september started developing bed sores on her fetlocks. Her left leg healed nicely without barely any help but the right is now the problem. We had the vet come out to look at her and he said to wrap it up and everyother day unwrap it and let it have some air for about an hour. He also gave us an all-natural otiment to put on her with some kind of honey and stuff in it. I wish I knew what it was but it has no label or anything.

We had the leg wrapped as he told us to for about a week (unwrapping everyother day and letting it get some air) but then she developed pressure sores from the wrap.

I then decided to leave it unwrapped more, but the more I leave it unwrapped the more it bleeds. The flies and nats get after it like crazy and I would hate to spray fly spray into it. I have some Fura-Zone which I used before but the vet said that it was no good for her.

I'm at loss for what to do with her. She has to be stalled during the day and that's usually when the sore opens and bleeds the most because she usually lays down. I have as much bedding as I can in the stall and it's cleaned out 2 twice a day while she's in it.

Right now i have a pillow wrap on it to help releve some of her pressure sores from the vet wrap. I really don't see too much of a difference since we started treating it either. I know that this is a hard area to heal because of the constant streaching of the skin, but I need to do something about it. She isn't lame on the leg either, but sometimes it does swell up.

Is there anything I can do to help it heal faster and better?

Answer 1

I would first talk to your veterinarian as he knows best.  

I believe why your horse is getting more sores is that you are possibly applying the Vetrap too tightly, or possibly the Vetrap has tightened on its own, especially if pulled tighter than it normally should be applied.

To alleviate this problem I would get a roll or cotton or a Gamgee roll (like cotton roll but non stick on both side and thinner cotton in the middle) for use with your vetrap.

Clean the area with running water if need be, apply the medicine the vet gave you then apply either a telfa (not stick) pad or a gauze pad to the open area.  Then wrap the cotton roll around one or two wraps and cut the remainder off.  Now proceed  to wrap the leg with the vetrap, do not pull tight!!  The job of the Vetrap is to hold the dressing in place, not to apply pressure, it is cohesive and sticks to itself so does not need to be pulled tight like a gauze roll or tack bandage would need to be.

Change as directed by your veterinarian.

Good Luck!  

Answer 2

I'm an RN and I've seen many human bedsores....some were down to the bone after well meaning relatives tried to manage a loved one's care at home.  Your vet is dropping the ball on this one...I'm guessing it needs debridement, and the dressing you're using sounds like something we used to do 40 years ago (egg whites were popular then).  The point is that it isn't working and has gotten worse. This will continue to get worse, and nothing that puts pressure on it should be being used. I'd get on your vet, or get another one.

In the meantime, you can research decubitus ulcers on the internet...that is the medical name for bedsores.  Look at both human and horse...the pathophysiology is the same....only the treatment challenges differ.  For horses, look for pressure sore or under equine ulcers.  This can destroy all of the tissue down to the bone, so it needs to be resolved asap.  Good luck...keep us posted.

ADD...A pressure sore is not the same as a traumatic injury and is not treated in the same manner.This is a type of ulcer.

EDIT to add....Professional's Choice makes bedsore boots for the fetlocks....you can find them online.

Answer 3

wash it  and get all the crust off them. and put some bell boots on and leave them on upside down it could be caused buy her shoes rubbing on one another. They help trust me I have done it for many horses  

Answer 4

firstly i would wash off all the creams etc with hibiscrub-which is especially formulated to do this.  then let the area dry thoroughly if sore,  or use tissue to dry it.  then use 'cut and heal'  a cream that can be purchased at tack shops etc.  this will heal the wound  but is brilliant in the fact that it seals the wound  so  Doesn't need to be bandaged.  depending on the severity this would need doing perhaps three times a week. if possible she would be better turned out as the movement would prevent swelled legs.  

tried and tested.  this stuff Works.  believe me i've used it and have it in my first aid box.  

hope she feels better soon.  

Answer 5

The honey stuff is probably meluca honey- a natural product to promote healing. There is a product called swatt that is a fly repellent for wounds.  Also war paint may be helpful.  I would get a second opinion as to why your horse has sores on its legs- there are a lot of horses that are stalled 24 hours daily without issue.  

Answer 6

If I were you I would leave it unwrapped and hose it every day then put peroxide on it if you have the time do it twice a day.