Care of Sutured Wounds
From Mansmann: Instructions for Equine Clients

General Information

• 0 to 2 days: The sutured wound is swollen, warm and somewhat reddened. This is normal.
• After 2 days: Swelling, heat, and reddening gradually decrease. Persistent swelling, heat, or reddening in the area could indicate an infection.
• 4 to 7 days: If a drain was placed in the wound, it can be removed at this time.
• At 5 days: Swelling, heat, and reddening should be nearly gone by this time. Any swelling, drainage, or suture loosening may indicate infection.

Important Points in Treatment

____ Apply a hot pack to the area ____ time(s) daily for ____ day(s).

____ Soak a cotton swab in ____________________ and gently apply to the wound ____ time(s) daily for ____ day(s). Do not scrub the wound.

____ Keep the wound bandaged. Change the bandage ____ time(s) daily for ____ days.

____ Keep flies away from the wound. Apply fly spray in the wound area, but not directly on the wound.

____ Restrict exercise as follows:

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____ Medication:

Give _____________ of ________________ SC/IV/IM/PO
____ times(s) per day for ____ day(s).

Give _____________ of ________________ SC/IV/IM/PO
____ times(s) per day for ____ day(s).

____ Other recommendations:

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____ Your horse's sutures are of the absorbable type and do not require removal.

____ Your horse's sutures are nonabsorbable and should be removed in ____ days.

Call Our Office If:

• You have any questions concerning care of your horse's sutured wound.
• You observe excessive swelling, heat, redness, drainage, or pain in the wound area.
• Your horse goes off feed or shows other signs of illness.