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Discussion on Tail Bandage -- Melanoma Removed

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LHFarm
New Member
Username: lhfarm

Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2008
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2008 - 12:43 am:   Edit PostPrint Post
My 11 y/o mare had a large melanoma removed from under her tail about the size of a cherry. The vet excised it which left a nice big hole but not too deep. She bandaged it and told us to apply a fresh bandage the next day and then change every 3-5 days. We have been unable to keep a bandage on for even 8 hours let alone 24 or more hours! It is hot and humid here thus bugs are a big problem. Each day we wash off any drainage on her rump where she has swished her tail...wash the wound...and reapply another type of bandage. Tonight we used a large human bandaid and applied some duct tape to the undersides of her tail. Should we just leave this open and clean it out each day or what?? The vet left us some silvadene ointment to apply as well. Need advice as to what to do next...I don't want an infection to start and we don't care about any scarring as she is not a show horse. We both work full time and can only treat her first thing in the morning and again in the evening. She is a pleasure/trail horse. Thanks for any help!
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro

Post Number: 21155
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2008 - 8:32 am:   Edit PostPrint Post
Welcome LHFarm,
The trick to bandaging the tail is to start with two complete turns of bandage material completely overlapping itself. Next pull up some hair from the top of the tail just below the bottom edge of the first two turns and then bend it back over the first turn. Make the next turn of the bandage over this bent back tail hair, overlapping the first turn by about 3/4ths. Do this for 3 or 4 turns and the bandage will never come down as it is being held up by tail hairs.
DrO
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