Had a weanling get a softball size flesh wound today on a fencepost. It appears to be all skin and no deeper. There's no bleeding but a pretty good flap of skin hanging off him. He doesn't seem to even notice. No way it can get stitched. Since it's still cold and snowy here (no flies) I'm inclined to let him be. Thoughts?
Flesh wound
- Thread starter angus9259
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funky 4-Her
Well-known member
I'd leave the wound open so it can heal from the inside out.
What about iodine spray or an anti inflammitory shot???
What about iodine spray or an anti inflammitory shot???
glesamiz
Member
I suggest leaving it open and NO antiseptics as they all slow healing. If infection is a potential use inject. antibiotics. Sounds like this one will take care of itself.
Good luck!
G Lesamiz, DVM
Good luck!
G Lesamiz, DVM
angus9259":1z8hwg67 said:
If he is confined to a corral, and the wound is dirty I would consider washing it out with peroxide. Otherwise, I would simply keep an eye on this particular animal and let nature do its thing.
Peroxide is a good cleanser for new wounds ~ as msscamp said, if wound appears dirty. There are better things to use, but that will do. Do not use peroxide after initial cleansing, it will damage new skin growth.
Thanks for the feedback.
I did not know peroxide hurts new skin development. There was no mud for the first couple days of healing so I'll avoid that.
Also, did not know topical antiseptics retard healing. Why is that? What of the common practice of iodine on navals of newborns? I don't do that, but have considered it.
I did not know peroxide hurts new skin development. There was no mud for the first couple days of healing so I'll avoid that.
Also, did not know topical antiseptics retard healing. Why is that? What of the common practice of iodine on navals of newborns? I don't do that, but have considered it.
I was told by my vet as well that topical sprays can retard healing. I don;t know why, he probably said, but was awhile ago.angus9259":s9a55oqt said:
Iodine ~ we don't do that, but ours are born out in the pasture on the ground. Is good if they are in a pen to calve, or anywhere its dirty. Better to be safe than sorry if you have concerns.
glesamiz
Member
I strongly disagree with above posts suggesting peroxide or most any other topical product. Historically we've all done it but it is not in the animal's best interest. Almost all topical products including peroxide and most iodines are irritative to the fragile tissue and will retard healing, the two exceptions in my opinion are VERY dilute solutions of either povido iodine(betadyne) or VERY dilute solutions of chlorhexidine(nolvasan) and dilute means 2-4 oz to a gallon of water and then irrigated thru a syringe, etc under pressure and never scrubbing with ANYTHING. I believe the best cleanser is water thru a garden hose, no topical medication and parenteral antibiotics to fight infection from the inside out.
G Lesamiz, DVM
G Lesamiz, DVM
The reason those topical antiseptics are harsh to flesh is the reason they work. They kill living organisms. If the wound bled good and is clean you don't need them, if there is a lot of dirt, the trade off in damage to the wound is made in killing off the bad stuff as well.
If you have a big flap of skin it may dry out and die - you might want to trim it off so it doesn't catch on things and tear the original wound back open repeatedly. At least on horses, I tend to stitch skin back in place if it is clean and alive. Don't think I have ever actually seen it on a cow.
If you have a big flap of skin it may dry out and die - you might want to trim it off so it doesn't catch on things and tear the original wound back open repeatedly. At least on horses, I tend to stitch skin back in place if it is clean and alive. Don't think I have ever actually seen it on a cow.
Well I, for one, am glad I read this thread all the way through. I'd known about not using peroxide, but I didn't think a thing about squirting some wound spray on a cut or a gash or whatever. This is good to know. Thank you all! 
Alice
Alice
larryshoat
Well-known member
I've read all this and it sounds like mine get better in spite of me . Probably old habits will die hard and I will continue to use iodine on wounds . Peroxide seems to work well on my finger when I cut it , seems to keep the soreness out if I use it a couple times a day . When I cut bulls I always spray with iodine whem I'm finished . A few years back we ran out of iodine before we finished and had several get infected .
Larry
Larry
angie":31c8gdc1 said:
The only "blue wash" I'm familiar with is what the vets standardly use for cleansing wounds and sterilization... it's chlorhexidine (Nolvasan) and is an antiseptic along the same lines as iodine (very strong).
I had a horse tear a flap of skin back on her hip just as you described. We didn't want a scar. A friend of mine told me to get a can of Granulex and spray it every time I could. It supposed to promote skin regrowth. It healed perfectly w/o hardly even leaving a scar...
Here's a link. http://www.pfizerah.com/product_overview.asp?drug=GV&country=US&lang=EN&species=EQ
Here's a link. http://www.pfizerah.com/product_overview.asp?drug=GV&country=US&lang=EN&species=EQ
Maineshowgirl
Well-known member
Try some CUT HEAL this stuff works it can be found at TSC best thing for show lambs too
I will. Thanks.
It's been over a week now and I haven't done anything. Still no bleeding, no appearance of infection. They skin flap has fallen off. The calf still doesn't notice. Amazing what these critters can endure.
It's been over a week now and I haven't done anything. Still no bleeding, no appearance of infection. They skin flap has fallen off. The calf still doesn't notice. Amazing what these critters can endure.
