Discussion on Horse kicked in mouth
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| Author |
Message |
    
Sherred Williams
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 22, 2007 - 5:02 pm: |   |
My horse got kicked in the mouth 2 days ago. He has an inch and a half slice inside his mouth below his teeth in his lower right gum. As the swelling has gone down and the pain has subsided, I've been able to look at it more carefully and can now see what looks to be a fairly deep, open laceration. I was told not to worry unless there is swelling, drooling and inability to eat. So far, none of these signs have occured. My concern is that it looks as if the food he eats and the dust and dirt from the ground as he grazes are getting into the wound and I wonder if that will cause an infection? I assume it's way too late for stitches, but should he be on an antibiotic? |
Lee
Member
Username: paul303
Post Number: 986
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Nov 23, 2007 - 12:04 am: | |
Usually the mouth has superior healing abilities. Saliva itself has protective qualities. The swelling, drooling and inability to eat advice is good. The only reason to be slightly concerned would be if a fracture could have occurred in the tooth root...and I'd tend to doubt that if your horse is not exhibiting any signs of discomfort. |
Sherred Williams
New Member
Username: sherred
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Nov 23, 2007 - 5:15 am: | |
Thank you so much for responding. This being the Thanksgiving weekend has made it difficult to find anyone who will come out and take a look at him. I did notice last night when I went to the barn to check on him, that his breath smells different now - like my son's used to when he was small and had a sinus infection. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 19607
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Nov 23, 2007 - 6:09 am: | |
Welcome Sherred,
Injuries to the gums or other mucosa of the mouth is one of the few places we recommend the use of a hydrogen peroxide solution in a syringe to flush out the wound. The problem is food particles get trapped in the wound and begin to rot leading to an anerobic condition and a foul odor. Twice daily rinsing with the peroxide should bring this under control. The decision to be placed on an antibiotic needs to be made by someone who can examine the wound. But if the wound can be accessed to treat topically and there is no sign of a spreading infection like increased pain and swelling, I treat many of these just locally without problems.
DrO |
Sherred Williams
New Member
Username: sherred
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Nov 23, 2007 - 6:18 am: | |
I'll be at the grocery store when its doors open this morning to buy a fresh bottle of peroxide. Thank you, Dr. O. |
