My horse's leg wound isn't healing completely. Should I call a vet?

Keeping it clean and fresh is the only option left at this stage. Bandages would need to be changed daily if infected or every 3-5 days if clean and dry. It is not recommended to cast or enclose dirty/infected/wet wounds as this can lead to further complications and even the loss of the foot. Skin grafting can be performed if required once the wound bed is granulated (healthy, pink and shiny - like when a scab comes off ourselves)

Hello there. Unfortunately, Lottie's foot lesion appears to have some necrotic (dead) tissue that is likely going to prevent it from healing. Since it has been open so long, it's unlikely that stitches could be put in safely without a drain as there is probably too much bacteria and debris inside to close it up without causing an abscess. I highly recommend contacting a large animal or equine vet to come take a look at it as it may need to be debrided under anesthesia (the necrotic tissue may need to be removed in order for it to heal well). This is very important for your horse's health. I'm glad that you've been cleaning it with iodine, but with how deep the cut is, I also worry about bacteria deep inside the wound that could potentially cause septicemia (an infection of the blood), which could be deadly. Good luck, and I hope that Lottie's foot gets better soon!

Hello, sorry to hear about Hunter. You're right that some of that may just be dried up blood. What needs to be addressed is the the size of the wound where that blood came from. The biggest concern is for an infection. The wound needs to be cleaned and thoroughly examined by your veterinarian and decide what the next step in treatment should be. I would recommend calling your vet out so that they can clean the wound and evaluate it. Hope this helps and best of luck.

I recommend wrapping the leg to keep it clean and prevent her from licking it. While honey promotes healing and I do use it in some of my wounds, I would advise you to also consult the veterinarian that initially treated Holly.

This looks like the result of a chronic trauma or infection creating a proliferative skin inflammation (that is why it looks like a lump). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics or antifungal meds (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths.

This wound requires an immediate check up and possibly a stitch up as it seems infected and it is unlikely that will heal without immediate intervention. Proper disinfection and antibiotic treatment is required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

This is definitely not healing and will not heal in this state. All the wound edges are contracted. This wound needs to be surgically debrided and closed with stitches or I doubt it will heal correctly. This cat also seems very “down” on it’s hock. Is this cat diabetic? That can be a contributing factor to poor wound healing. I suggest you get her to a vet for surgical treatment of this wound.