Holy Moly

How to treat a puncture wound

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Puncture wounds occur easily from small accidents around the yard and can turn into quite a serious problem if infection occurs. Horses often get puncture wounds from walking into something sharp, such as a piece of wood or wire sticking out of a paddock fence, rolling on something like a rock, or from a riding or carriage accident. We investigate how to treat a basic puncture wound from home.

Signs of trouble

Puncture wounds are fairly common, especially in poorly kept yards where fencing, gates and doors are not maintained properly. The first thing to worry about when it comes to a puncture wound is the possibility that the horse contracts tetanus, caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. The bacteria are found in soil, dust and manure and enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a puncture wound. Tetanus infection in horses, often referred to as lock jaw, can cause severe to fatal muscular spasm. Horses who have not been routinely vaccinated against tetanus are at greater risk of contracting the disease than those who have. It’s best to phone the vet if your horse does not have a history of tetanus vaccination and if the wound appears to be contaminated.