Wound Care (continued)
Firstly, you need to access and identify the severity of the wound; wounds are generally categorized into two groups: “Type A” and “Type B”. Type A wounds do not typically require the help of a medical professional; these wounds can generally be managed by the owner or keeper of the animal even if they have limited formal medical experience or training. Type B wounds are traumatic wounds which call for professional veterinary help. These may for example include large open wounds, or deep cuts which need to be flushed out to clear dirt and grit and remove any infection, in severe cases they may even require stitching.
To prevent infection, wound management is essential, our wide range of wound care products includes products which provide excellent protection, thus dramatically reducing the risk of infection and even helping in the prevention of fungal and bacterial infections. Infection can make all the difference between a small cut healing quickly or developing into a large open sore; in this case prevention is key and correct wound management is critical. Infected wounds sometimes create all kinds of further issues, for example the stitching of an infected wound sometimes causes the horse’s body to reject the procedure. An infected wound could result in a loss of tissue, preventing the wound from being brought back together – this is a particular problem on the lower limbs of a horse, where the skin is very thin.
Animals with sores and dry skin can become irritable and in these cases, wound creams or ointments can often help alleviate these issues. Wound gels can be used to create a water repellent barrier, which is particularly useful when dealing with conditions such as mud rash or mud fever as it will help protect the area. Wound ointments and gels are also ideal when trying to moisten an area to alleviate the irritation caused by sun burn. It could be that your horse has a small scratch that may need something to stop the flies landing and feeding on an open wound, or needs something to help dry up a wound. Wound sprays are also very convenient for spraying onto a wound and quickly creating a protective barrier, some sprays also include an antibiotic ingredient to promote the healing process.