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severed hind extensor tendon,lameness and proud flesh

5K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  bubba13 
#1 ·
In november last year our mare badly cut her leg and severed her extensor tendon after getting trapped in a rope fence.the wound measured 15cm in length and a portion of the cannon bone was exposed.we trailered her to a vet clinic where she stayed for 7 weeks ,the cost was horrendous, the leg was cast for three weeks and a bone sequestrum was removed , she was released at the end of december and was walking pretty well,she went on to stict stall rest and was doing great,so good the clinic devised a rehab plan which we began in march(5mins a day walking,building up by 5 mins a week).we have had issues with proud flesh ,our vet has removed it 3 times so far,nothing we try seems to stop it although we did get to a stage this month where it seemed to have slowed down a lot.however last week our mare has become very lame ,hitching her leg under her belly and then stamping the foot down hard when walking ,she turns very poorly and backwards is almost impossible(she waves the leg around and doesnt seem to know where the floor is) although she doesnt seem to be in any pain,The proud flesh has also gone mad,its grown back 2 or 3 times faster than before.we dont want to give up on her yet as she was doing so well but we are at our wits end, even the vet cant tell whats wrong,if anyone has any advice or any experience with anything like this,we could use some help.
 
#3 ·
The clinic gave us green wound cream, our vet advised vulketan and we have tried derma gel , which helped ,but didnt stop the proud flesh.I thought it looked like stringhalt too but our vet isnt saying that,she just says its 'mysterious'.Anyone had dealings with stringhalt?,i dont know much about it.
 
#4 ·
While caring for my horse's extensor tendon laceration, I used a combination of products like you. My vet still had to come out and trim proudflesh a couple of times, too.

So the usual routine was that after she trimmed, I'd leave the wound alone for a day or two. Then I'd clean with normal saline or diluted betadine solution (or even just tap water) and cover with a product called Nolvasan ointment. I'd then change the dressing every second or third day. If I would see proudflesh forming during a dressing change, I'd forgo the ointments and dust carefully with wonder dust. I was careful to *puff* it on the proudflesh growth only. If the wound started to look angry, I'd switch back to the nolvasan or just apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment. I'd end each wound care session by covering with a supportive wrap paying particular attention to his ankle--wanted it supported properly. By covering the wound for as long a I did, I'm certain I delayed healing. But I didn't want the leg to go without support. That strategy paid off. A year later, he's sound. Ugly leg, but sound.

As far as how your mare is moving, it does sound like stringhalt to me. Not in the true clinical sense of the condition-just the hyperflexion and stomping. Maybe it's a pain + spasm reaction she's having? Maybe I'm just stating the obvious? I'd ask your vet if she thought a thick supportive wrap, bute before exercise, and slowing the rehab down to a mild workout every third day would help?? Just keep after that proudflesh-it'll eventually slow down. Best of luck. I know what you're going through and it ain't fun!
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the advice DOP.we have been doing pretty much what you have done .we started on bute a couple of days ago and it isnt making much difference.as for the wound its covered with telfa ,gauze a no bow wrap and a stable bandage,we were bandaging down to the coronet, with several layers of gamgee and vet wrap Etc..,up until a few weeks ago (vet said stop bandaging for support as she didnt need it ) .Its weird but i have thought back and i can pinpoint the exact moment the strange walk/stringhalt started ,we walked her down to the hose about 50m away from the stall,she walked normally,we then cleaned and re dressed the leg,as she set off back to the stall she kicked the leg out to the side(that happens pretty much every bandage change just to let us know shes not happy,typical TB)when she put the foot down the limping started and has got worse since that day,the limp was so mild and has come and gone since then i didnt see the connection until i thought about it last night .vet is back out tuesday to trim proud flesh but i will try to get hold of wonder dust ,i found another product that says it has 100% guarantee to get rid of proud flesh,' Equaide',was wondering if anyone has used this ,am getting fed up with expensive miracle creams that dont work!!!
 
#6 ·
I have no personal experience with an injury like this, but far too much personal experience with other serious and chronic injuries, so I feel your pain. :(
My only advice is that, since you have nothing to lose and have already invested so much money and time, you haul her to a big, expert clinic, where the very best veterinarians with the best diagnostics and treatments are available. I don't know where you're located, but I'm thinking along the lines of a Rood&Riddle type thing, or a vet university....
 
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