My horse's deep wound won't close. Is it infected? What should I do?

Question

so my horse has a nasty tear, she's had it a week and I'm sure it was off barbed wire, she was stabled the first few days to keep it clean and it started to heal but then opened again and hasn't seemed to close anymore since. I've tried bandaging it and using iodine to make sure it's not infected, now trying manuka honey and stabling her so she's not stretching it as much! it's on her heel just below fetlock, thanks! (pictures day 1, 3 and today) infection and stitches are my main worry. Pet's info: Farm Animal | Horse | Female | unspayed | 9 years and 2 months old | 1322 lbs

Rebeccah Wood · Accepted Answer

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!

My horse's deep wound won't close. Is it infected? What should I do?

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