TREATING MINOR WOUNDS
This information has been kindly provided by Robinson Animal Healthcare

Minor wounds, whilst not requiring the Vet, do still need attention. The sooner they are treated, the quicker the healing process can begin. To clean a wound, use either a swab [this can be a piece of cotton wool], but ensure that you use a clean one for each wound, with saline solution [one level teaspoon of salt to one pint of cooled boiled water], or hose using low water pressure. If you suspect that the wound may be infected, then a hot poultice can be used to try and draw out any infection and/or foreign bodies. Wounds have been found to heal best in a moisture-controlled environment. As long as the wound is not infected it is best to keep the open wound moist, covered by a dressing and also bandaged wherever possible.

Advantages of Moist Wound Healing
There are three main advantages to moist wound healing. These are:
Faster Healing: The wound heals more quickly in a moisture controlled environment because the newly forming epithelial [skin] cells are able to move around the wound more easily, this then allows the damaged tissue to heal and repair more quickly.
Less Scarring: By maintaining a moist wound environment, you prevent a scab from forming. By preventing a scab from forming, the migration of the cells from the edge of the wound across its surface is not hampered by the solid barrier that the scab creates. This allows healing to continue at an optimum rate, and so reduces scarring. Reduced Pain: In an open wound the nerve endings are exposed which can lead to the wound feeling very painful. In a moist wound environment, the nerve endings are protected and cushioned by the moisture and dressing. This therefore leads to less pain for the animal whilst the wound is healing.

Wound Hydrogels
Wound Hydrogel can both donate moisture to the wound, whilst absorbing exudate [the discharge created by a healing wound], thus creating a more controlled wound environment. Wound hydrogel also acts by debriding the wound and rehydrating the necrotic tissue, which will then be removed from the wound surface when the dressing and hydrogel are changed. In order to apply a hydrogel, any hair or other debris need to be removed from around the wound with scissors or clippers.

The wound must then be cleaned the wound thoroughly with saline solution to ensure all dirt and foreign bodies are removed. The hydrogel should then be applied generously to the wound to a depth of approximately 5mm. If the area of the wound permits, a sterile dressing should be applied and bandaged in place. The changing of the dressing is relative to the amount of exudate produced. If there is a lot of exudate, a change of dressing will be required more often. Any hydrogel left after application should be discarded as it will no longer be sterile and its re-usage may further contaminate the wound.

Bandaging
Bandages are used to keep dressings in place and wounds clean. They also provide support and insulation as an aid to prevent or reduce inflammation. Bandages should be applied with an even pressure, and a 50% overlap, taking care not to overstretch the bandage in order to maintain necessary circulation and therefore prevent pressure sores. Bandage application should start from the top and bandage from left to right on the near side, and right to left on the off side.

There are three layers to consider when bandaging a wound:
Primary Layer: This will consist of a low adherent dressing which is placed directly onto the wound or on top of a wound hydrogel, which has direct contact with the surface of the wound. The dressing prevents the padding material of the secondary layer from adhering to the wound. It will also ideally absorb any exudate that is produced from the wound itself. Any dressing that is used in direct contact with either the open wound or the hydrogel should ideally be sterile.
Secondary Layer: This is the layer of padding that is applied on top of the dressing. It is used to insulate and protect the wound and to protect and control any swelling. It is also used to support and pad the area in order to prevent further injury. This layer may also be used to absorb any strike through [leakage] from the primary layer. Gamgee, which is highly absorbent and has a uniform thickness, is ideal for this secondary layer. However, it should be applied carefully to ensure that there are no creases or folds, which could cause pressure points.
Tertiary Layer: This is the final layer and is vital as it holds the primary and secondary layers in place. The application of this bandage is very important. In order to prevent the creation of pressure points, the tertiary layer of bandage must be applied evenly and should not be over stretched. A cohesive bandage is ideal for this purpose.

Points to Remember When Bandaging

Never bandage the horse’s leg without padding. Ideally, Veterinary Gamgee should be used for optimum support and padding.

Unless it is being used specifically to apply pressure, a bandage should never restrict circulation as this is likely to be detrimental to the healing process. It may also cause serious damage, and even a pressure bandage should not be left on and unchecked for any length of time.

Ensure that the bandage does not impede movement, eg. At joints

For hock and knee wounds use a figure of eight bandage which crosses over the joint at the front.

This information has been kindly provided by Robinson Animal Healthcare, manufacturers of Vetalintex Wound Hydrogel. For further information and advice, please email enquiries@robinsoncare.com, telephone 01909 735000, visit www.robinsoncare.com/Animalintex.htm or write to Robinson Healthcare Ltd, Lawn Road, Carlton-in-Lindrick, WORKSOP, Nottinghamshire S81 9LB United Kingdom