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Discussion on Laceration under right eye
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 10:42 am:
Dr. O,
Demetrius has a one inch jagged laceration 1 inch below his left eye, didn't need sutures but it held about 15 ccs of hematoma that evacuated on it's own when I was palpated to see if there was any boney damage. It must have happened within 12 hours of my arrival to get him in his turnout for lessons.
I was unable to flush the area with pressurized water because you can't get the hose so close to his eye (he hates water on his head) so I used some hyDrOgen peroxide in a syringe to clean it with a 2 x 2, and applied some neosporin rubbed in with a cotton tip applicator so he doens't get any in his eye.
Anything else I should be doing with a wound so close to his eye? I worry about possibility for infection or cellulitis so close to the eye.
When I left the barn last night the wound was clean and done draining and looking good.
I am just grateful he didn't get his eyeball.
Any information would be appreciated.
Should I just continue with neosporin and watch for signs of infection. If infection symptoms set it how quickly do you have to act with it being that close to the eye?
Any information would be appreciated.
v/r
Corinne Meadows
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 10:56 am:
Oh, you are right. Thank goodness he missed his eye! I bet this will heal up fine. One of our mares once did a similar thing. I just kept it clean (flushed it with sterile saline) and it healed with just a very tiny scar.
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 10:57 am:
Please be careful using peroxide that close to the eye. A pinch of epsom salts in some warm distilled water might make a better flushing solution. Just a thought.
Kathie
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 10:59 am:
Corinne, Sarah's suggestion is what I would do. Buy a case of generic human eye saline solution and use the bottles to squirt it. Much easer than a hose, and it is already sterile and the correct salinity.
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 11:07 am:
Gee Corrinne, sorry to hear about Demetrius' injury. I hope it heals up completely for you.
Okay everyone, correct me if I'm wrong please, but didn't I read somewhere that you shouldn't use hyDrOgen peroxide on cuts because it destroys the 'good bacteria' or something that aids in healing????
On a side note Corrinne, I heard that Mariah made a complete recovery from that awful injury in ND earlier this spring. Just thought you might be interested in knowing, if you didn't know already.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 11:37 am:
Thanks guys! I used the hyDrOgen peroxide (sparingly of course) because I was afraid it started out as puncture that he tore himself away from and when he punctured his knee his old vet back in Montana said the oxygen in HyDrOgen peroxide kills anaerobes (which scare me!) and I wasn't sure if what got him was dirty. (By the way his tetnus us up to date). Saline would have been optimal and I wish I had thought of it. I will add that to my kit as my last bottle expired....good good idea. I think it's pretty much closed now, with a bit of a hematoma formed at the site and I will keep a close eye (excuse the pun) LOL. His turn out his so huge that the barn owner doesn't see him for a few hours at time and I am just thankful he didn't get that eye once again, although he would have been in the very best hands if he did and I was not there.
Sherri......I am soooo happy Maraih made a recovery. I have spoken to Faye only once since leaving and she was on the mend. To have seen that injury that day I can not believe she made it through. There were lots of prayers with her!
Thanks for sharing.
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Member:
Boomer
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - 3:03 pm:
My TB had an eye injury similar to what you are describing watch for infection of course. It took nearly a month for Joe's to heal and he's still got the scar. I ended up getting some meds from the vet. I never figured out where he got it either..good luck to you.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 7:02 am:
If you are uncertain about the depth or consequence of complications of your wound you should have your veterinarian examine the wound Corinne. Those questions can only be answered by a thorough exam. As always we warn against the use of hyDrOgen peroxide in wounds that appear uncontaminated by dirt: the tissue toxicity does not outweigh the benefit.
If he will not allow you to flush it you could warm pack it with a betadine solution mixed to the color of dark tea for about 10 minutes daily. That and 2 or 3 times daily application of Neosporin would be a suitable for wounds that drain well in this area and safe around the eye.
DrO
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Member:
Banthony
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 8:48 am:
Some years ago my gelding came in from turn out with a little tear under his eye. My veterinarian flushed it out and sutured it.
I was a little taken aback with the size of the bill. But I must say he did a job worthy of a plastic surgeon. Ten days later the wound was healed and there is only a scar the width of a hair today.
I highly recommend suturing these kinds of wounds if you possibly can.
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Member:
Kathleen
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 10:34 am:
Corinne,
How is Demetrius today? I have a concern only because of something that happened to Yogi a few years ago. We got him out of the pasture and he had a wound/laceration below his eye. Called our vet (it was Sunday of course), they sent out someone new to the practice. He slightly flushed the wound, nowhere near enough to clean it out, didn't really check it out, then stitched it up. My daughter told him she could see bone when she look into the laceration and he blew her off. To make a long story short, he had bone fragments and had to go to Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center for surgery to remove the bone chips (one of which she wears in a necklace - strange but true), and scrape down to the healthy bone. We later found out that the owner of the farm hit one of his horses at a team penning in front of many people and fractured his cheek into the sinus cavity. It made us rethink what happened to Yogi, we wondered why the owner of the barn kept apologizing, now we think we know. Not saying that Demetrius' injury is this extensive, but just a warning that, as you know, some injuries are not what they seem. Good luck.
Kathleen
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 10:41 am:
Thanks Dr O and everyone! Spoke to the barn owner, she said it's looking fabulous, the hematoma has completely gone down, the wound edges have approximated and it's already scabbed. No signs of infection. Will continue to monitor. It was not deep enough to require suturing, although Linda that would have been first and foremost in my mind (regardless if it broke that bank) if it did indeed need such intervention.
Thanks for the advice about the hyDrOgen peroxide being tissue toxic, all I had to go on was what a previous vet told me about how to treat a puncture wound (back when I was at my last barn and couldn't get home to a computer for the wound care article)
I did have computer access at this wonderful facility but I have not been able to pull any of the research articles for some reason, even though I am logged on and authenticated. Is there something I am doing wrong now that there is a new system with article retrieval for the general public to purchase? Anyone else not able to pull up the full article?
Thanks so much everyone!
v/r
Corinne
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Member:
Banthony
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 11:29 am:
Great news Corinne.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 11:56 am:
Kathleen,
We must have been posting at the same time. So sorry to hear about Yogi and possibly the thought that it might have been caused by the hands of someone at the barn (even if that was just a thought...how awful!)
I am a little hyper-vigilant when it comes to wounds after last winters little scrape turned out to be a puncture wound that swelled up three days later and needed extensive hyDrOtherapy and antibiotics afterwards (I think Sara told me to investigate because it may not be as it seemed) and Thank goodness I debrided it and found the puncture.
This wound was flesh only, and superficial, about 1-2 mm deep, was almost scabbed closed when I found it with dried blood, was near the cheek bone but not on it and we palpated the bone just in case and there were no abnormalities and it was symmetrical with the other side and there was no pain upon palpation. There are lots of trees and he has a propensity for scratching himself on what ever he can find...but we will definitely keep watch it. And he is the best barn ever with the most experienced of care givers who are giving me daily updates and she said today it was almost unnoticeable.
I really appreciate your and everyone else's input.
Thanks,
Corinne
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 1:05 pm:
Corinne they may have their computer to set up to not run javascripts which is needed for the article to appear in the window.
DrO
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Friday, Sep 22, 2006 - 2:50 pm:
Dr. O,
Thanks for writing back. Javascripts! Got it....I am sure when Herb comes home he can tell me what that is. LOL.
I had emailed horseadvise the other day and Lisa is working with me to get the issues resolved as I can't get them on my computer either. I am sure between Lisa and Herb someone will be able to help me! Excuse my computer ignorance.
Have a good day.
v/r
Corinne Meadows
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New Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 1:07 am:
Well....just to give you all an update, the injury under Demetrius eye occurred one half inch to the left of number 16 of the temporal process of the zygomatic bone directly under 14 on the zygomatic bone as depicted on the picture of the horse skull in this forum which I have attached (I am now able to get articles to open up, Please thank Lisa)
Anyway, when I found the injury there was no abnormality of the temporal process of the zygomatic bone upon palpation after the injury, and everything felt symmetrical compared to the other side. It was also not tender over the zygomatic bone initially. Should I be worried because today he took some contention with my palpating (where the hematoma is) to check for changes? There are no signs of infection, minimal swelling, the wound is almost closed but I am keeping it flushed and moist with saline and Neosporin. Also he is riding beautifully (dressage and cavaletti) and doesn't mind the bridle, whose cavason is pretty close to the prominence of the zygomatic bone as well. There is also absence of eye issues and he is eating normally and masticating normally.
If he got hit or bumped into something is it normal for him to have some tenderness as the injury heals? Everyone at the barn, very very experienced horse individuals as well as my FEI level dressage coach say he is fine and would exhibit some other symptoms if there was fracture. I know I worry (neurotic horse mom alert) but what would you do short of surgical intervention if there was a fracture of that facial bone? Would he stop eating (I would think chewing would hurt) and resist having a bridle on etc?
Would tenderness upon palpation be an absolute indication for films if nothing else is off? Would it make a difference five days later? Should I give Bute?
Any additional guidance Dr. O? And please excuse me once again if I am being neurotic and have lots of questions. I feel foolish when there are horses with much worse injuries but I can’t help it as a medical professional I always think worst case senario.
Thanks,
Corinne
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New Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 1:11 am:
P.S. Kim (barn owner/manager) says just to stop poking at it! LOL. Sometimes I think I do too much and he is just irritated with me.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 6:34 am:
No tenderness alone would not be a indication for radiography, after all it is a wound which normally would be tender until it heals. If there is no remarkable indication of inflammation I don't think there is an indication for bute.
DrO
PS Corinne, I notice that your post number has reset when they restored your account, so I went and manually corrected it so from here on out it will post the correct number.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 12:50 pm:
Thanks Dr O for putting my mind at ease and of course for the great customer service in relation to my account. What a pleasant surprise when Ms. Allen offered a reimbursement for a month for a mere glitch in the system when I couldn't get the articles up. That was not necessary but just one more thing that sets this site apart from the rest. Outstanding. I continually recommend this site not only because of scientifically based research, access to a wonderful vet, the best customer support, and friends I have made along the way, but also because you treat each one of us, not as numbers but as HA family that matter. Thank you!
v/r
Corinne
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 1:29 pm:
Yep, top recommendation here, too. Bravo for a great site!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 6:17 pm:
Gosh I always thought I was kind of grumpy.
 DrO
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 6:39 pm:
Oh, Dad...
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006 - 10:12 pm:
Grumpy is just a disguise for having the biggest heart! 
Corinne
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 - 11:24 pm:
Well....new little development. I noticed on Sat slight weeping of serous fluid out of small section of the healed lac under Demetrius' eye right above his cheek bone which has reopened (just a 3mm tiny corner) because I have been doing the water lavage and keeping it moist with neosporin just in case the hematoma, or possibly purulent drainage needed to drain as it healed too quickly as you all have suggested and I was concerned about.
He allowed me to lavage the wound with mild pressure water from the hose and I have been doing that the last few days (the best I am going to get that close to the eye) and then applied Animalintex poultice for an hour last night (it was late and I had to affix it with vet wrap attached to the halter which I didn't want to leave on unattended or I would have left it on longer) as well as some Neosporin. It did bring some drainage to the surface that I noticed when I came in this morning, purulent discharge about the size of a dime on a 2 x 2. There is still slight swelling that feels like crepitus when I palpate and I believe the wound still needs to drain a bit, but now that there is an area to allow for drainage and I am happy about that. I am following the wound care article. In addition do you think PO antibiotics should be added because I have confirmed purulent drainage?
The small corner of the wound (the 3mm section is being dehisced a little like a pimple that needs to pop when he moves certain ways but it goes back in if you hold the wound edges closed with your fingers) so I am sure there is some more drainage that needs to occur.
I don't have a vet yet and the one my barn uses is 2-3 hours from them....4 from me....but maybe I can call a large animal vet over the phone and get my hands on some antibiotics if need be.
It bothers him so little we rode in a dressage schooling show today and got some really good scores. I had a small bandaide on it to prevent the bridle from rubbing and no one noticed it so I think I am more bothered than he is.
There is no heat in the area, the drainage does not smell but is yellowish and I think what ever was there just found the path of least resistance. Should nature just take its course? I always fear giving antibiotics myself because of the risks associated but will do so if recommended. Does every would with drainage need antibiotics? I surely will get him them if needed.
I know you can't tell for sure about antibiotics as you can't examine him but any information you can give will help me when I speak to the vet when I makes some calls to find one.
P.S The eye is nowhere near affected and the swelling has gone done since it's drained a bit.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Monday, Oct 9, 2006 - 1:21 pm:
Update....reread your absesses article < would care and am doing everything until I hear back from a vet about antibiotics. Still draining well.(according to owner). Will continue with water lavage as pressurized as we can get it without getting close to his eye, and neosporin, perhaps nalavsan and will keep you updated.
I printed out the articles as guidance for when I finally hear back from the vet.
Thanks,
Corinne
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Monday, Oct 9, 2006 - 4:56 pm:
Spoke to a vet near Ponca City (20 minutes from Demetrius) gave him an accurate description of his condition and at this point he feels the wound care I am providing per the wound care article, is spot on.....in addition however he recommended the application of Nolvasan and he does not think antibiotics or a visit to the clinic are needed at this time.
Before I pick the Nolvasan at his clinic will it close up the wound again? I want it open and lavaged as long as it takes to have complete drainage.
Thanks,
Corinne
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 6:49 am:
If a wound is draining well, even if the drainage looks purulent, and there is no sign of increased swelling and pain, it is unlikely oral antibiotics indicated. Overtly purulent drainage may indicate you need to clean a bit more often. DrO
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 10:10 pm:
Thanks Dr. O,
Still draining nicely, albiet slowly as we only have a small area where the wound is open and it's sticking out so there might be a bit of a scar there. Had a bit of an issue at the barn today however. I was flushing with the hose, diligently following the article, and the moons must have aligned right because just then, a horse stuck his head out over his stall guard, someone walked though a gate and dog ran by. Demetrius turned his head and got some water in his eye (it was not high pressure) but he freaked out, tried to run out of the shower stall while in cross times and then slung shot back and fell rather hard to the ground when his feet slipped. Our first reaction was to talk calmly to him and before we could release the ties he righted himself and got up to his feet. He knicked his back hind fetlock but just a flesh wound, not to mention he crushed my surgical foot (I think he would have broken it but the pins in the bones have it rather stable).
We walked him (well Kim did) I limped, to see if he had injured himself and other than a good scare he was fine. His eyes were pinned straight back and his eyes were closed for 20 minutes. He looked like Eyore....poor thing, made me want to cry.
Anyway, I have to stay home tomorrow and soak my foot, Kim is going to do the wound care and flushing as she has found a way to do it while giving sugar cubes. Since we probably won't be able to flush as often now.....(he remembers all scary things and probably won't let us) we will do what we can to keep it open and clean.
In light of that to keep the wound moist since we only have a small area of moist tissue for drainage, I affixed a dressing of a duoderm type (which keeps sores and wounds moist on people) with 3M pourous tape made sticker with Benzoin on the edges after I applied the neosporin. I left a corner open for drainage. It probably won't stay on as the neosporin is slick stuff and nothing stays on hair but it looked rather moist and protected when I left. I have his fly mask on because the bots are out in full force (automatic fly sprayers are off for the winter) and I don't want any complications.
Other than that....will keep an eye.
When should I stop the neosporin and use the Nolvasan or nitrofurizone? In the article is says during the first month. We are in week 1 1/2. I think while it's draining and needs to be moist the neosporin is still in order especially since we can't flush as often...trust me...I know my hose it will take us a week to get him near the horse again....Does anyone else have Arabs that hate water being sprayed on them? The nitrofurizone seems rather dry so I think I should wait on that.
Well....got to RICE my foot.
Take care.
v/r
Corinne
P.S. He had a lesson with my instructor riding so his spirits seems high when I left.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 10:12 pm:
Oooopps I mean ears were pinned back..
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 10:15 pm:
And ooooopppss again....I meant I know my horse he won't go near the horse
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 - 10:17 pm:
THE HOSE! So sorry...I had better go lie down.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 7:04 am:
Corinne, if this wound cannot be safely hosed and still needs to drain, why not hot pack it instead. Run a search on "hot packing" using the AND modifier for details. If I understand the wound right, I see no reason to change from the Neosporin.
DrO
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 7:49 am:
Corinne,
Have you got a nap in yet? LOL!!
I tried treating my arabs eye last week, thinking it would be easy. After all, a few times a year we used to treat our now deceased arab mare Fancy, and she was soooo easy.
All I wanted to do was rinse it with saline solution, and it was a battle. I even threw her down to sit on her head!! No, it wasn't pretty, and I wouldn't advise it, but that eye did get rinsed a little then. Unfortunately she laid down on the same side as the injured eye!!! (guess I need to study up on how to correctly lay down a horse, grin)
If Demetrius is anything like my girl, he goes from being afraid to getting down right mad at you?! And then you just as well forget it, you won't get the rinsing done.
You might want to try DrO's suggestion, or see if you can sweet talk Demetrius and be happy with maybe a squirt from a clean bottle instead of the battle with the hose. (I always have saline solution on hand just in case I need to use it on an animals eye)
I would never tie my mare in cross ties to treat her eye, she'd hurt both of us! Or tie her for anything water related...she'll do a lot if asked nicely, but you can NOT force her to do anything she is afraid of.
I am sure the wound will heal just fine...so relax, don't stress over it. And take care of yourself too.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 10:39 am:
Thanks Dr. O,
Kim has the touch with him and he doesn't associate her with mean things like he does every time I have to do something painful to him....she has so far been able to flush it and is going to take over the job but I will tell her to hot pack if she can not and I will hot pack it on the days I can get there as me and the purple hose none the less are not getting near his head.
Angie....glad you weren't hurt. My foot feels okay today luckily I have have physical therapy on Friday for it anyway.
I am not sure if this is an urban legend, Sarah would you know? (and I am sure any Arab can be trained to like water) but I heard that the Bedoins taught them to stay very far from the water supply, thus they might contaminate it and might put everyone's life in danger that's why most don't like water. Not sure how that learned trait can be breed or passed down....but I know I have one that hates water. He clenches his butt cheeks together so tight you would think he is going to sit down and when you get near his face I can do the mist but he pins his ears and looks like a DrOwned rat and just looks pissed until he gets to his stall. I thought we were making training progress in relation to water on the face until last evening. Oh well. At least last week he let me clip his ears for the very first time...that took almost two years! I had tried a squirt bottle and a syringe but he knows......he is too darn smart.
As for the cross ties, it's barn policy that they are tied in the shower stall however there is one safety measure I can use for the future that he was taught at the trainers and that is to stand in front of his nose with a lunge whip. If he sees that in front of his face he will not step forward.
Well....slept in nursing my foot so I had better get going with school work. You all are so helpful.
Thanks Dr. O and Angie.
Take care,
Corinne
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 10:40 am:
(Sara sorry I added an H to your name)
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 11:07 am:
I've heard a version of the water hole story; that the horses were taught not to go to water until a signal was given because one never knew who or what was at the water holes and the tribesmen didn't want their precious war horses stolen or killed. I think Arabians are water shy because there isn't much water in the desert. However, scientifically, I don't know why or how this would be passed on genetically. Maybe it's an innate behaviour based on the horses of the desert knowing instinctively that danger could lurk at a water hole.
Actually though, I don't know if Arabians are that much more water shy than other breeds. Aren't horses in other breeds leary of water unless they are introduced to it early on?
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 12:18 pm:
Dr O, care to add your thoughts when you have some time?
Not sure about my Arabian's history with water but I presume being a ranch horse in the mountains he didn't get bathed as often as when he turned into a show horse at age 5 1/2.
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Member:
Lilo
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 3:27 pm:
About the water. My mare is half-Arab, and was very hard to train, both to take a bath and to cross creeks. I always attributed that to her being 50% Arab (the other 50% is Saddlebred).
Now I have a Rocky Mountain gelding - and he is worse. Have had him 5 years and have not been able to take the hose to him - I can sponge him off, however.
Hates crossing creeks, hates to be sprayed with fly spray. So, I think it just depends on the horse.
Lilo
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 7:29 pm:
Neither of my horses (TB & Holsteiner) like water sprayed too close to their faces, despite the fact that both love a good bath and scrubbing - I don't think the issue is unique to Arabs. I'm just now (after 3 years) getting my mare used to at least having the side of her face, top of her poll and under her jaw rinsed with the hose. She still makes faces and flattens her ears but will tolerate it. When we trail ride around the open fields, she will go out of her way to leap over a puddle instead of walk through it...this is the same horse who will gladly roll in a puddle of watery muck (moments after the above mentioned bath, of course)!
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 - 8:25 pm:
Lilo and Fran....glad I am not the only one. Every time he gets pissy (and we have worked up to just getting his cheeks) I look at him and ask what the heck to you do in the rain...I never see you go to the shelter?
The Bedoin story interested me...however I think for something to be trained in an animal and then passed down genetically is impossible. It is a good story to tell however when he sucks his butt under him and looks like a DrOwned rat when everyone else's horse in the barn happily stands there enjoying the relief from the heat.
LOL.
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Member:
Cheryl
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 - 7:43 am:
Have any of you tried clicker training with your horses? Fear is one of the easiest things to over come with C/T. Just teach them the click means "right" then start splashing water on one foot - C/T the second they stand still - and just keep moving up. May take a few sessions but it sure is easier on the horse and the owner. You can do the same thing with water crossings.
Cheryl
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 12, 2006 - 6:13 pm:
Hello Cheryl,
Run a search on clicker training it is a often discussed technique.
DrO
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 - 12:11 am:
Hello all.
It seems the small piece of tissue that was sticking out of the wound edges that had already closed that we were keeping moist to allow for drainage (for either the small abcess or the hematoma) to evacuate had dried up while I was away for the weekend as keeping a dressing on it was impossible with the rain and humidity and flushing it didn't seem to keep it moist for long.
The barn manager said the tissue looked like proud flesh was forming when I checked in with her. When I went to see him today it just looked like a big old dried mole on the wound edge. Knowing it would have to eventually be excised off and since I thought that would further facilitate drainage (since it was our only drainage route) I cut it off with some sterile mini scissors after prepping the area with betadine. He didn't feel a thing as I think it was dead tissue. Now the wound is draining the best we have seen so far....so back to h2o flushing and neosporin. He doesn't mind us touching the area anymore so it's getting less sore and it's looking better every day. I think the drainage will stop this week now that it has a really good area to drain from and he has gone back to the shower stall without a problem so water lavage shouldn't be a problem if we take it nice and slow.
Have been keeping the vet in town updated and he still feels good wound care is the best way to go now we have a good debrided draining section of the wound.
I am diligently caring for his wound with water lavage and warm animalintex (there isn't enough wound to pack) as the warm ebsom salt impregnated poultice dressing feels good for him and further facilitates draining......and neosporin. One step forward, one step back, but alas one step forward.
Will keep you all posted. Thanks for your ideas and Cheryl I will do a search on that clicker training.
Take care,
Corinne
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