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Simba, a 12 year old Irish Draught gelding, had been out riding on the road ,on his regular hack ,when he was spooked by a construction lorry. He jumped onto a metal railing which penetrated his chest and left axilla. As you can see from the picture, the wound was substantial and initially bled profusely.
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The riders sensibly got Simba off the road and into the garden of a nearby house. They stemmed the bleeding by applying firm pressure with a borrowed towel. They phoned the Royal Veterinary College Equine Practice for an emergency call out.
On examination Simba was shocked and in pain. The wound was extensive, revealing the sternum (breastbone) and humerus (forearm bone). His pectoral muscles were completely severed. The wound measured nearly two foot long and over one foot deep. Fortunately, however, there was no evidence of any damage to the rib cage or elbow region.
Strong painkillers, antiinflammatories and antibiotics were administered and the skin partially stitched to protect the wound. A horsebox was brought and Simba was taken straight to the Royal Veterinary College Equine Referral Hospital for treatment.
X-rays confirmed there was no bone damage. The wound was lavaged with 10 litres of saline to remove contamination. The muscles and skin were partially stitched, leaving a large exit channel for drainage (these large wounds produce copious inflammatory discharge which requires effective drainage for its removal).
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Simba was admitted to the Equine Hospital and placed on high levels of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Twice daily wound flushing and bandaging were needed to control the discharge. Filling of the forelimb was minimised by short periods of in-hand walking, cold hosing and bandaging.
Simba went home after eleven days in hospital. The wound will take 4 to 6 months to heal, but despite the extensive nature of the wound the prognosis is guardedly optimistic.
For more information on wounds involving joints and tendons and their treatment, go to our Fact Sheet on Wounds
