Equine Open Wounds - How to Deal and Classify

Technically a wound is classified as such if the skinhelp the healing process. Inflammation results in
or hoof horn has been traumatized in some way.swelling and pain in the area as the nociceptors
The force experienced by the skin can cause anyare stimulated by this. Infection as a result of a
of the following - a superficial gall, graze, abrasionwound varies from aerobic, micro-aerobic and
or sore that may result in a deeper bruising; aanaerobic; usually these germs are not susceptible
cut, usually short in length that can bleed badly orto penicillin.
hardly at all depending on the site and size of theIt is important to try and keep contamination of
blood vessels damaged; a laceration that is usuallywounds to a minimum where possible. All wounds
longer than a cut and usually jagged, bleeding isexcepting bruises and galls are likely to get
usually superficial unless a larger vessel is involved;contaminated by the causative object, dirt, hair
a tear which is a form of laceration in which a flapetc and depending on where the wound is
of skin results or a puncture which is a simple yetmovement, until the wound has healed can only
damaging wound that cuts deeper than others.add to the problem as the movement can cause
All wounds will have bleeding to some extent butsuction aspiration. This draws in air causing
it can be difficult to determine the amount ofsubcutaneous emphysema and germs causing
deeper tissue damage and bruising. The initialsubcutaneous infection, spreading infection from a
swelling is due to the escape of blood and serumlocal area creating a more widespread problem
from traumatized tissue cells. Chemical mediatorsand may eventually result in lymphangitis,
that escape from damaged cells bring on asepticemia and toxemia.
secondary self defense inflammatory reaction to