Large animal wound management Flashcards
Why should you not use a water hose with a spray nozzle when lavaging a wound
because water pressure could drive dirt and bacterial into the tissue
If the wound is to be closed, _ or _ _ may be needed
tranquilization; general anesthesia
If tranquilization is used, _ or _ anesthesia is also necessary for debridement and closure
local; regional
proper technique for infiltration of a wound edge with a local anesthetic
mepivacaine or lidocaine applied 1cm from wound edge. The needle should enter through the skin at the point of the last injection
A _ block using a local anesthetic is infiltrated SQ around the limb of a horse to triage a distal limb wound
ring
To anesthetize the portion of the limb distal to the block
palmar digital nerve blocks of the right forelimb
The toxic dose of local anesthetics is approximately ___, if this dose is reached complications such as heart block, convulsions, and bradycardia can result
13mg/kg
Open wounds on distal aspect of the limb of a horse are notorious for developing _
Exuberant Granulation Tissue (EGT)
Exuberant Granulation Tissue (EGT) is also known as
Proud flesh
Controlling granulation
-Immobilization of limb
-Wound bandaging
-Caustic agents (equal parts copper sulfate & boric acid)
-Cryotherapy
-Electrocautery
-Topical corticosteroids
-Surgical excision (best method from removal and control of EGT)
Lower limb wound bandage should be wrapped _-_cm proximal and distal to the wound edges
2-4
Lower limb support bandage is used to provide
support for soft tissues of the limb contralateral to the injured leg
What does a lower limb support bandage minimize
static limb edema in a confined, inactive horse
Splint applications are use in
extensor or flexor tendon lacerations, flexure deformities in foals, and radial nerve paresis
Splint application is added to a limb bandage to reinforce:
immobilization of a particular part of a limb
Where should splint application be placed
just below the carpus/tarsus all the way to the ground or can be placed the full length of the forelimb
Splints are usually placed on the _ surface of the limb
flexor
Support bandage should be placed before splint application and should be long enough to cover :
the limb above and below the ends of the splint (to prevent pressure sore)
Splint should be reset at least _ per day
once
Reasons for tail bandages and wraps
protection during shipping, protection from feces, urine, or fetal fluids; for prevention of contamination on the vulva or perineum during medical and sx reproductive procedures
Tail bandages and wraps should be changed _
daily
In a large animal with a trail bandage or wrap, what should you monitor for
signs of strangulation; swelling, cool temp.,skin discoloration, loss of sensation
Several tail hairs are pulled proximally to form a locking loop between each pass of the gauze to keep the wrap from
sliding off the tail
if longer use of a tail wrap is necessary, someone will need to
attend the horse’s head to relieve the jugular vein every 1-2 minutes
How is a tail bag created
removing the hand portion from a standard rectal sleeve
Cast for horses is used to
manage orthopedic injuries or problems that require maximum support and immobilization
casts are commonly used for _ limb problems; sometimes full limb application
lower
Distal limb cast
standing sedated patient or general anesthesia
Full limb cast application requires
general anesthesia
Cast indications
-Lower limb fractures
-Tendon lacerations
-Support for induction or recovery for orthopedic surgery
-Heel bulb lacerations
-Luxations: tarsus, fetlock, or pastern
The cast must immobilize the joint _ and _ to the injury
proximal; distal
Full limb cast must extend up to the _ or _ as far as possible
elbow; stifle
Most frequently used material for casts
fiberglass
Casts must be applied properly, or serious problems, such as _ _ can occur
pressure necrosis
cast application supplies
-cast material
-support foam
-orthopedic felt and stockinette
-cast padding
-white tape
-towel clamps
-bandage scissors
-1/8th inch drill bit and hand drill
-hoof rasp
-shoe pullers
-hoof knife
-wooden wedge block
-broom handle
-wire (approx. 30cm)
How should horse be positioned for cast placement
under general anesthesia, lateral recumbency with affect limb up
Hooves grow an average of _inch per month. Every 5-8 weeks the shoes must be removed and hooves trimmed to prevent overgrowth
1/4
Effect limb support during cast placement is essential to maintain
limb alignment
Traction can be applied to a limb before cast application by
drilling two holes in the toe of the hoof and threading a loop of wire through the holes w/ a broomstick placed in the loop to apply traction
What must be done to prep limb for cast application
clean and dry, powdered w/ talcum or boric acid to keep area dry, of wound or sx site present, 3 layer bandage is used to cover it
How many layers of cast material is applied
5-6
What should be applied in the last layers of cast material
a wedge block (wooden, plastic, or rubber)
What is mandatory for cast monitoring
stall confinement
Indications for cast change or removal
breakage, increased lameness, swelling above cast, exudate coming from top or through cast
Removal of cast from a horse
animal standing, w/ Stryker saw: cast split on medial and lateral surface and continued under the foot
Bandages and cast are tolerated remarkably well by
cattle
_ recumbency for cattle is preferred because they do not tolerate bandage application or removal in standing position
lateral
It is necessary to use _____ in ruminants
padding between the claws and underneath the declaws
Cattle have _ weight bearing digits on each foot which is an advantage in the management of lameness confined to one digit
2
Modified Thomas splint can be used for
long bone fractures distal to the elbow and stifle
Modified Thomas splint is especially useful for radius and tibia fractures because:
these bones cannot be stabilized with a plane cast alone
What is used to construct the metal ring of a modified Thomas splint that will encircle the proximal part of the leg
a template, devised from a nasogastric tube or other flexible tubing. a 1/4 inch aluminum rod is bent
