57% of Horse Owners Keep Bute in First Aid Box, New Survey Shows

Tara Evans — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:04:34 +0000

57% of horse owners keep bute in first aid box, new survey shows

A recent survey by Vita Animal Health has found that most horse owners have a first aid box, with the majority containing Phenylbutazone (Bute) – a POM-V drug. However, only 7% of horse owners seek advice from a vet for minor wounds, and over a quarter would not contact the vet even if their horse was lame. This raises concerns about the appropriate use of bute in wounded horses. These findings suggest that veterinary practices should be actively looking to provide first aid training to horse owners covering basic wound management and when to seek veterinary advice. The survey, posted on social media groups for horse owners, showed they were most likely to call out a vet if their horse had a deep wound (96% of respondents). Surprisingly, just a third of horse owners will seek veterinary advice for a wound that is bleeding. Vita Head of Sales, Tara Evans RVN, says “It is great to see that owners are equipped with a first aid box for their horses. However, our survey highlights that many are not seeking veterinary advice, even if their horse is lame. This raises concerns over horses receiving appropriate treatment in a timely manner. There is an opportunity for practices to review first aid boxes with owners to ensure they’re stocking appropriate supplies, and discuss appropriate wound management.” The most common treatment option by horse owners for minor wounds is a cream or ointment with 71% applying these and 84% keeping a topical treatment in their first aid box. A wide variety of topical treatments are used. Some of these products were barrier creams that do not provide an antiseptic environment. The most important factors in choosing a topical treatment were ease of use, versatility and price point. Vita says Omnimatrix skin cream is a good option for horse owners, as it supports the skin’s natural healing at all stages of the wound healing process. It has natural antiseptic properties and does not interfere with concurrent treatments. The cream is veterinary exclusive, encouraging dialogue around wound management between the vet and horse owner.

Survey Results Download

https://www.vitaanimalhealth.com/product/omnimatrix/

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Wound Healing in Horses

Tara Evans — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:57:03 +0000

Wounds in Horses

Horse wounds can have a range of complications such as poor healing due to skin tension or infection. Accurately assessing wounds and being able to apply basic first aid is vital and allows you to know when to seek veterinary advice. Read on for advice and guidance on applying such first aid and the signs which indicate veterinary advice is required

How do you know when to call a vet to a horse wound?

Horse wounds can have a range of complications such as poor healing due to skin tension or infection¹ . This means that it is important to assess the wound so that you can apply basic first a`id if appropriate and look out for signs that indicate veterinary advice is recommended. Do not put yourself at risk by examining a horse that is distressed or painful. If you are in any doubt then speak to your vet first. The following always require veterinary examination² :

Any wound or injury that makes your horse lame or sore
Puncture wounds (as there can be significant unseen damage beneath the skin)
Wounds that expose any tissue underneath the skin
Wounds that still have something in them (e.g. dirt, nails, splinters – do not attempt to remove)
Injury to the eye or eyelids
Injuries that may interfere with tack
Horse kick injuries
Wounds that have made the surrounding area feel hot to the touch
Wounds that have visible discharge, particularly if smelly
Wounds that are close to or over the joint
When healing is delayed or ‘proud flesh’ appears
If a horse is not up-to-date with their tetanus vaccination

How to apply basic wound first aid to horse wounds

If your horse is bleeding then apply firm pressure to the area with a thick gamgee or lint dressing if it is safe to do so. Contact your vet if the bleeding continues after five minutes of pressure or the bleeding is profuse. If the wound is a minor skin abrasion and you feel confident at applying first aid you can follow these steps³ :

Consider clipping – You might decide to trim the area around the wound, especially if your horse has a thick winter coat. This can help to see the area more easily and monitor the wound progression, but is not essential. Take care to avoid getting hairs in the wound as this can cause irritation and infection. Only do this step if your horse is used to clippers and unlikely to react.
Clean the wound – It is best to use some lukewarm saline solution to clean the wound to remove any contamination. You can make this yourself using boiled water that has been left to cool and adding table salt. If this isn’t an option then potable water from a hose is the next best option.
Reassess – Once you can see the wound more clearly, reassess whether there are any signs of concern. If it is deeper than you first thought, or fits into any of the above criteria then be sure to seek veterinary advice. If you identify any ‘foreign bodies’ such as nails or wood, do not remove these yourself as this could cause damage to underlying structures.
Apply antiseptic – Keep a suitable antiseptic in your first aid box to apply to minor wounds. We recommend discussing this with your vet as some antiseptics can be very stringent on skin which may irritate and cause further damage. Omnimatrix is a skin cream that is suitable for all stages of healing and is naturally antiseptic. It can be applied twice daily to the affected area. We recommend using gloves to apply any ointments so that you avoid directly touching the wound in case of infection.
Apply a dressing – Only apply a dressing if you are confident in doing so, and the wound is not close to a mobile area such as a joint. A sterile, non-adhesive dressing is best and should be applied with firm, but not excessive pressure (as this can cause further damage). Dressings should be changed regularly so that changes in the wound can be monitored.
Monitor progress – If the wound is not healing, your horse becomes sore, or there are any signs of infections or other concerns then call your vet for advice.

1 https://aaep.org/horsehealth/wounds-horses 2 https://www.rossdales.com/services/sport-and-leisure-horses/routinestable-visits/wound-management 3 https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/advice/horse-care/articles/step-bystep-guide-to-treating-a-wound https://www.vitaanimalhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Wound-healing-in-horses-APP.pdf https://www.vitaanimalhealth.com/products/omnimatrix-skin-regeneration-cream/ Find more animal health and advice here…

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