Friendicoes September Report

AAA partner group Friendicoes have as usual had a busy month with their Equine Program for September 2022.

Probably the most complex of the cases they treated was that of a horse with a fractured lower jaw. This required the jaw to be wired in place via a complicated surgery performed in the field. The fractured part fused well, and the wire was removed under sedation. The horse is now able to eat comfortably, and the field paravet is keeping a regular eye on the horse.

Colic is always a common ailment treated by the team and this involves dehydration, impaction and poor gut motility. Treatment for this involves pain killers and fluid therapy, laxatives and instructions for plenty of fresh water multiple times per day.

One of the cases they treated was an abscess/chemical wound which was caused by an injection wrongly administered on the neck of the horse. This led to the formation of a sizeable abscess and sloughing of the skin. The wound was cleaned with antiseptics and necrosed tissue was removed. Painkillers, tetanus vaccine and antibiotics were given and the owner was advised the rest the horse completely. The field paravet changed the dressings daily.

Other cases were that of a lacerated wound on the hind leg due to a road accident, as well as a lacerated wound on the foreleg caused by sharp fencing wire while grazing. For both cases, the wounds were cleaned with antiseptics and dressed, with tetanus vaccine, antibiotics and painkillers administered.