Washing a wound with copper sulphate?

Question

hi, i've posted about using this stuff before but now i'm just wondering if anyone know's how to make a solution out of it. i have to scrub the hard scabe of my horses leg each day so it can heal properly (vets advice) i have to apply alot of pressure and it hurts her and makes her bleed & is pretty hard to stomach.

the vet has told me before to wash under her hooves with it so it gets rid of the dead hoof although i havn't done that yet cos i'm abit worried it will damage her hooves, i want to mix it with water so i can wash her leg easier. problem is he never said how to mix it? does anyone know how much water to copper sulphate powder i should use?

and should i mix it with water or can i use something better? i just want her to be better it's driving me nuts!!!

Answer 1

There is a FABULOUS horse wound medicine named 'Underwood Horse Medicine'--it's made by a guy in Oklahoma (4th generation)and my farrier told me about it when I had a wound that just wouldn't heal (lower leg).  He said his dad had used it, and he always kept a bottle in the barn.  It contains copper sulfate (and a bunch of other good stuff), and really beautifully heals even horrible wounds quickly and with little effort on your part. If you go to their website (www.underwoodhorsemedicine.com) , there are a lot of photos of rather grisly injuries that were healed by it (with before and after photos).  I would highly recommend it over trying to figure out how to mix the copper sulfate powder.  I can now add  from personal experience that it works as well as my farrier said it would.

Answer 2

The use of copper sulphate is not for amateurs or novices...it must be used very judiciously.  It's better left to a veterinarian to administer.  ...see the attached link.......from "The Horse"....

http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx...

You need to consider the advise that has been given to you in good faith regarding the use of copper sulphate.....I'm aware that you've asked the question previously...my answer has not changed nor will it regarding the use of this very caustic material.

Answer 3

copper sulfate is corrosive to the mucous membranes and should not be mixed in any greater concentration than 1%,any more than that it can cause severe and sometimes fatal gastroenteritis.you may need to call your vet and get some advice on what solution he wants to mix it at but again i wouldnt mix it any stronger than 1%.

Answer 4

Call the vet's office.  Do not go by the advice of anyone here when it comes to a wound this serious.  And if you cannot stomach it, rather than let it go untreated, hire someone, pay to have the horse cared for at the vets or sign the horse over to the ASPCA and let them.  Because lack of action on your part is not good.

Answer 5

go to your local pharmacy or call the vet directly. with a bleeding wound i.e. open wound i would not take anyones recommendation for mixing compounds or medications  yo need veterinarian advise!!! usually the assistants at your vets can help via phone. Good luck i hope your horse heals quickly.

Answer 6

Be careful with the copper sulphate, some horses are very sensitve to it, maybe a very dilute amount of it if this is what your vet told you to use. The mixing instructions should be on the outside of the container. I would try a patch test on another portion of her to make sure she doesn't have any skin problems with it before applying to her wound.   You may also want to dilute it further to 50%, just add double the water to start out. Yeah you do typically have to get that dead skin off and I wince when I have to do it :( Just really follow the instructions your vet gave you for it though .

Answer 7

Get the vet over there and let her show you what to do and how to do it. Then you know what to do and you can d oit successfully and you wont hurt your horse any more than she already is!!

Answer 8

Copper sulfate destroys healthy tissue and is used sometimes to prevent proud flesh.  I used to buy a product called wound ??? that was just the powder with a squeeze -on container...the powder was sprayed directly onto the wound.

If you can find a soft plastic container with a small opening at the top, you could just spray it onto the wound.

EDIT: The name of the product was Wonder Dust.

Answer 9

I usually scrub with a water hose and then apply wound powder.  The end result will be a coat of wound powder over the wound that is like a paste.  Typically the wound powder I use is something called 'Wonder Dust'.  The water hose can be ran over the scab for a few minutes to soften it before the scrubbing begins.  Then the scab is SOFTLY scrubbed off.  It can take several minutes to get completely off.  This should be done daily.

I have never used copper sulphate.  If you want to use that then call your vet and get the directions or have them show you like others suggested.  Follow their advice.

Answer 10

I've never used it (hope to never have to)

I found this site...if you scroll down to CANKER there is a recipe.  You can read the story too and see if it's along the same area as what you are dealing with.

http://www.uvma.org/horse.htm

I like websites so I can better make a better informed decision.

Answer 11

I agree with teh first poster,don't get advice off of here with a wound that serious, jst call your vet.