Injury of the Week #3 - Stomach Laceration

[Sonseeahray's_girl]

This amazing story comes to us from Awesome Paints:

What is the age/breed/sex/general health condition of the affected horse?

3 year old AQHA gelding. In very good health before the injury.

How and/or when was the issue first discovered?

We noticed the injury 2 days after we bought him when he came in to get his grain.

Do you know how the injury or illness was caused?

We think one of the other horses was messing with him and caused him to run into/over something. I never did find any blood or hair to tell me where exactly it happened.

What were your first actions?

Got him out of the pasture away from the other horses and immediately called the vet.

Did you call the vet at first, or at any point during the treatment period?

First thing we did, and he was hauled in to see him within minutes.

What treatment advice was given by the vet, if called, along with prescribed medications?

He was on penicillin for the first 5 days then we did 3 other courses of a powdered antibiotic after that. I was told to hose it twice a day and use DMSO initially.

What advice was given by others observing?

Keep doing what I was doing, it seemed to be working well.

What course of action did you take in treating the injury/illness?

I did cold hosing twice a day, rinsing with a betadine solution and wrapping with old sheets that I ripped into strips. After it healed enough I used an ointment to help speed up the healing.

What setbacks, if any, did you experience?

Thankfully none, it healed very well and quickly.

What is the final outcome?

He is completely healed up and the cinch does not bother him at all.

The following pics were submitted. WARNING they are graphic!

When it first happened:



After 7 days:


After 9 days and wrapping it:


After 14 days:


After 30 days:


After 43 days:


After 50 days:


Approximately 75 days:



Thanks again to Awesome Paints for sharing this incredible story with us. We're so glad to see such a successful recovery!

If you'd like your horse's story to be featured, please PM me with the details and pics.

[candy4legs]

Wow, that healed up really nice...very tiny scar, considering the size of the original wound. And its on the belly, so won't be noticed. Great job doctoring!

[gbarmranch]

That is amazing - and his healing so well is a true testiment to the dedication of his owner..

[Awesome Paints]

Wow, almost 2 months after this was featured and I just now found it. I guess my excuse is our computer blew up and I've had to use my parents' occasionally to keep in touch with my HT crew.

Originally Posted by candy4legs

Wow, that healed up really nice...very tiny scar, considering the size of the original wound. And its on the belly, so won't be noticed. Great job doctoring!

I was surprised also at how small the scar was, I expected it to be huge!

[Awesome Paints]

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

That is amazing - and his healing so well is a true testiment to the dedication of his owner..

Thanks gbar, I like to think he loves me just as much as I love him.

[BarnBum]

Originally Posted by Awesome Paints

Wow, almost 2 months after this was featured and I just now found it.

Me too, but I have no excuse


That healed up wonderfully

[Awesome Paints]

Originally Posted by BarnBum

Me too, but I have no excuse


That healed up wonderfully

Thanks!

[version1955]

So much HT, so little time
Amazing story, heck yeah. You did an excellent job, Awesome!

[Rafflesgirl]

Wow that is just amazing!! I'm a nurse and even that made me sick to see. I'd probably faint if that happened to my horse and I have a cast iron stomach. ha ha. Glad he is okay!!

[Awesome Paints]

Originally Posted by version1955

So much HT, so little time
Amazing story, heck yeah. You did an excellent job, Awesome!

You said it, I hate to think of all the interesting stuff on here that I never see. And thanks!

Originally Posted by Rafflesgirl

Wow that is just amazing!! I'm a nurse and even that made me sick to see. I'd probably faint if that happened to my horse and I have a cast iron stomach. ha ha. Glad he is okay!!

Ya know, when it comes to the animals there's not much that can make me flinch. I just get into the mind-set of okay so someone's hurt and this ( ) is what I'm gonna do to get them healed up. After treating this injury I feel like I can handle anything.