Wounds

Wound Care for Horses in Brisbane, Ipswich and Lockyer Valley

Horses, by their very nature, are prone to hurting themselves.

Any wound deeper than the skin, over a joint or tendon, or near or involving the eye are considered emergencies and must be examined by a veterinarian.

Without proper care, even seemingly minor wounds can involve vital structures and lead to pain, infection, poor performance and permanent scarring. An assessment by a veterinarian will ensure your horse returns to optimum health as quickly as possible.

Causes

Even in the relative safety of your paddock, horses can find a way to hurt themselves. Most often, wounds are caused by hazards or other horses.

The most common types of wounds are:

Puncture wounds
Incised wounds
Lacerations
Abrasions

Signs & Symptoms

If your horse is wounded, the signs may be hard to detect. In nature, horses are prey animals, so they will, at times, try to mask any signs of vulnerability.

The most common signs of wounds are:

Bleeding
Damaged tissue
Swelling
Sensitivity to touch
Limited movement
Weight shifting

Treatment Options

While some wounds can be treated topically with ease, it’s best to seek the advice of a veterinarian. Barely detectable puncture wounds can lead to severe infection, and many wounds require antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and analgesics, which only veterinarians can prescribe.

Treatment usually involves:

Controlling any bleeding
Cleaning the wound
Applying banding and/or closing with stitches

If foreign objects are involved, the veterinarian will make the choice whether or not to remove them. Radiographs or ultrasound may be needed to assess if other important structures are involved in the wound.

Your Next Steps

If you find a wound on your horse, call us on (07) 5411 4554 to speak with a qualified veterinarian about its location and severity. For after hours emergency assistance, call 0488 98 98 36.