Izzy's Leg: Update 4

2/8/2015

I've followed a few blogs that showcased a healing wound, so I totally get it if these photos gross you out. If no one wants to see these photos, I can choose a different way to share his progress. By now, I am quite desensitized to the images myself, so there's nothing left but a clinical fascination. You might not feel that way however.

As I post these photos today, I am shocked by how much the wound has healed! It looks to be half the size that it was a month ago. At this rate, Dr. Tolley's projected ten week healing time might not be that far off.

wound at 1 week

wound at 4 weeks

wound at 2 weeks

wound at 5 weeks

wound at 3 weeks

I emailed the last photo to Dr. Tolley on Friday. He felt comfortable saying that it didn't appear to need further debridement (at this moment anyway). So for now, I am to keep wrapping as directed (every other day) with the white lotion, a fluid astringent preparation made of lead acetate, zinc sulfate, and water.

There is another product that he suggested I try, a hydrophilic foam pad made by Kendall. The pads are a couple of dollars each and would require two at a time (for now) to cover the length of the wound. I decided against this course for now since the white lotion is working really well.

If the wound continues to heal well without more proud flesh developing, I might switch to the foam pads as he thinks they might promote quicker healing. If they work, I am willing to pay for them as they are far cheaper than the calcium alginate pads we tried a week or two ago.

Overall, the time I've spent bandaging Izzy's leg has been quite productive. He's learned a lot and has had time to get comfortable in his home before being asked to work. In no time at all he'll be ready to saddle and start his new life.

Sandy

2/7/2015 11:39:31 pm

WOW! It is looking so much better! Great job both developing your bond with him AND tending to his wound!

Bakersfield Dressage link

2/8/2015 02:23:35 am

The thing, Sandy, is that he is a real trooper, or Soldier, as my pal KG calls him. If he had fussed over the bandages, our relationship might not be gong so well. :0)

Dom

2/8/2015 01:22:33 am

Looking good!

2/8/2015 02:24:11 am

To my complete surprise, it IS looking pretty good. :0)

Paola link

2/8/2015 02:15:50 am

It looks so much better! And it's very interesting to see the progress because I someday want to be a vet.

2/8/2015 02:27:30 am

I am glad someone else finds the process interesting, Paola. I hate to see graphic photos used just for their shock value. That's why I've tried to limit mine. I also avoided showing the debridement as it was really gross. And since I couldn't really see anything other than flowing blood, I decided to skip photographing that part.

Seeing all of the images side by side shows a remarkable process, in my opinion anyway. It's fascinating to see how the body can repair itself. When the wound is completely healed, I will have a series of photos that I hope to string together in fast forward slide show. I am hoping it will show the healing process. :0)

Val

2/8/2015 05:48:44 am

It seems like the was a big jump in the process around four weeks. He is looking good!

2/9/2015 09:52:10 am

That's what I thought! Hopefully he'll keep having those big healing jumps. :0)

emma link

2/8/2015 06:19:36 am

looks great!! i kinda enjoy the progress pics too from a clinical perspective - since it's a great way to learn what to expect from nasty gnarly injuries (tho hopefully i'll never need that particular bit of education!)

2/9/2015 09:53:23 am

HAHA! I feel like I am taking one for the team. Knowledge is definitely power, and it sometimes works as a shield as well. If you know a lot about something, you'll never need to use it. :0)

Nicole Sharpe link

2/8/2015 08:07:45 am

This is healing shockingly well! I was so pessimistic when I first saw the injury because it is huge and terrifying! However, I'm glad you have progression pictures because we can really see how well it is doing.

2/9/2015 09:56:35 am

I was horrified when I first saw it, but I wasn't too worried since my vet seemed pretty nonchalant about the severity of the wound, and he's a guy who likes to lay out the worst case scenario. He doesn't sugar coat things so when he said ten week or so, I kind of freaked out at first, but then realized that he would have told me straight out if this was career ending or a ten year process.

I am glad you're finding it interesting. I am totally fascinated by the process myself. And a bit amazed as well!

Cathryn link

2/8/2015 11:21:32 pm

Wow! It's looking great.

2/9/2015 09:57:08 am

It looked even better today.:0)

Sarah K link

2/8/2015 11:39:48 pm

Wow, that is quite the transformation. So glad it's looking that good and thankful you took the weekly pictures, it's helpful to see the progression.

2/9/2015 09:58:52 am

I am taking pictures more than weekly, mostly so I can gauge any subtle changes, especially for the worse, but it's a more dramatic change to see weekly photos.

I can't wait to have ten weeks of photos! Hopefully it will be nearly closed by then. :0)

Tracy link

2/9/2015 12:41:01 am

Wow! His wound is looking great!

2/9/2015 09:59:17 am

Thankfully so!

CindyA

2/9/2015 01:56:38 am

That looks AMAZING!! So glad you chose to bring him home and nurse him back yourself, a training barn probably wouldn't have gone the extra miles needed (even if it was a "good" barn)! Just don't let up and one day you will look at it and the realization will sink in that he's fully healed and you can ride again!!

2/9/2015 10:03:24 am

Not that I am the best at anything, but I trust my own care more than that of anyone else. My boys come second only after my husband, and he totally gets it if they need to come first for a bit. There's no chance that I'll slack and let those bandage go. :0)

In fact, I wrapped two days in a row this weekend because I was worried about some gauze that stuck to the wound and wanted to make sure it hadn't caused any damage. Tomorrow will be the first day in nearly two months that I won't be at the barn. I have an evening meeting that I really need to attend, and tomorrow is not a bandaging day. My barn owner and the neighbor who feeds will check him and let me know if anything is wrong.

It can be a bit tiring being so diligent, but it's worth it. :0)

Austen link

2/9/2015 09:25:23 pm

I showed this post to my almost-a-surgeon husband who let out a loud "HOLY SHIT!" It's always hard to rattle the surgeons, so thanks ... :)

When you put those photos side by side, it's really obvious just how nicely that quickly that wound is healing. You guys are so lucky, both for how surprisingly superficial that wound was, and for the guidance you've had in treating it. Nice job!!

2/10/2015 10:31:00 am

I've heard from several MDs and have had the same response. :0)

While my vet might be expensive, I learned long ago that by developing a good relationship by doing all of the ticky-tacky stuff through them (fecal counts and vaccinations), it has proven to be very beneficial when I needed them for serious stuff. Dr. Tolley will always take my calls for a chat (unless he's right in the middle of a procedure). Even when he was at the neighbor's the other day, he was more than happy to listen to an update and answer questions.

I am grateful that I took the time to build that relationship. It has sure come in handy when I've needed good advice. :0)

Jessica link

2/10/2015 07:00:10 am

Wow, what an improvement!!

2/10/2015 10:26:20 am

It is looking better. I am certainly grateful. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage