Posted by CJ on September 02, 2002 at 08:29:39:
In Reply to: Re: nail in the frog area 102, human impalement posted by CJ on September 02, 2002 at 07:41:17:
: : : : : : : : we had noticed that our 20 yr old pregnant mare was limping and my husband had found a nail in the frog area and he pulled it out. he told me that the nail was in there side ways and that it wasnt in there very deep. so we just figured that she would be sore for a couple of days. well after days went back we noticed that she was still in pain so i took her to the vet. when i took her to the vet they did xrays and told me that it was good news and that it didnt get into the bursal and that she would be fine. she would show inprovements in 3 days and she would be completely healed up by 7 days. well 7 days went by and when i decided to clean out her hoof i notice blood coming out of the puncture wound so i called the vet and he told me to bring her in that they just needed to clean it out some more. but needless to say when i took he in i heard some horrifying news. the vet told me that she should have gotten better and not worse. he told me that more in likely the infection went into her bursal and that when he pressed where the nail wound was she didnt respond in pain but when they pressed on the bursal area she started to be in pain. so he told me that he wanted to keep her for 3 days and some antibiotics and drain the infection out of her bursal.but what i dont understand is that he told me that she would be lame. and that he is going to try to make her brood mare sound. but my question is? has anybodys horse recovered over this without any lameness? she is my 10 yr old sons horse and i dont know how to tell him that his horse is lame when there could be some chance that she would pull out of this.i just dont understand that last week she would be fine because the nail wound didnt damage the bursal. and now im facing that she wouldnt ever be able to be ridden anymore. so if somebody would please answer this i would really appreciate it.
: : : : : : : Basic horsecare 101, anytime a nail gets stepped on needs to be treated as if it was a gapping wound. There's this stuff called Bacteria that is in the ground and grows in dirty little places like nail hole punchers. Reminds me of a horse trainer that called me and said his horse was lame, I told him it would be three days before I could see him so he waited three days and sure enough when I got there and he pulled the horse out of the stall, the horse was three legging around and I picked up the bad foot and guess what was sticking right in the bottom of the foot? Yep, a 16 penny nail! TRUE story! Please!
: : : : : : Nail In Hoof 102
: : : : : :
: : : : : : Don't pull nail out until an xray has been taken.
: : : : : : Ray Miller
: : : : :
: : : : : I'd have to second what Mr. Miller says and would like to add...was a booster tetnus recomended ?, how far along is the mare in her pregnancy? keep an eye on this to see if by chance any four-in object entered the puncture wound, even grains of sand.....the hoof should be soaked in epsom salts soaks to aid in healing and this type of wound does some times heal up with out any problems...give T.L.C. and good luck.... been there seen that 2..... How D Ray......CJ
: : :
: : : : I just have one question. Was the foot NOT BANDAGED this whole time???? From your post, it does not sound like it was.
: : : : Allen
: : : If your mare now has an infection in the navicular bursa, it is potentially very serious. It is too late to second guess why that happened,as even with d9oagnostic X rays of the injury using special dyes injected into the hole, a tiny bursa puncture can be missed.
: : : They can recover from this, though sometimes they end up with permanent joint damage,and a few get the entire area so involved with infection and changes they are lost.
: : : The tratment at this point needs to be agressive, thoroughly cleaning out the area (surgically if it becomes necessary) and using antibiotics. X rays taken at regular interbvals should be used to monitor the infection and hte condition of the involved joint.
: : : Hopefully the fetus will not be harmed from the stress to the mare or the antibiotics.
: : : And as Ray stated, next time you have any foreign object imbeddded in a foot, if possible leave it there until an X ray can be taken so the area of penetration can be more accurately assesed by an X ray.
: : : Patty
: : We as farriers work around horses and can become impaled on any number of objects, never ever pull or remove the object until under the care of a Truma Doc or a Paramedic so instructed by a trama doc.
: : Ray Miller
: : Formely Licensed
: : A-1801-EMT-Mo.
: : US Park Service
: : US Forest Service
: To whom it may concern:
: Reguarding puncture wounds to the hoof and other areas to leg:.....
: I have pulled a T-pole out of the hock at the joint, and also a nail to the hoof in the sentr4al sulcus of the frog and also a nail from the sensative area of the white line between the soul and white line, among other injuries and wounds as well ....
: only because I was the only one there at the time and knew emergency care ....
: regardless of what credientials are displayed...
: some of us prefer not to wear our badges on our "heart sleeves" and just seem to be extremely lucky and continue on regardless of what others advise....Thank U four the opportunity to comment.....
: To the individual that requested advice....best of luck to you and your horse....hope all goes well and the foal is nice......CJ
PS....Tjhank U 2 two those that led the way and helped us to do our best:
Their experiance, guidance and good advice is/was very much appreciated and not taken for granted...... CJ