Author, Donkey, Bureaucrats, Administrators
53,803
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Puncture Wound - Donkey (view source)
Revision as of 12:12, 20 February 2010
, 12:12, 20 February 2010New page: {{review}} [[Image:Puncture wound.jpg|left|thumb|250px|<small><center>A fresh puncture wound in a donkey - the wound is likely to heal rapidly but the risks of tetanus are more significan...
{{review}}
[[Image:Puncture wound.jpg|left|thumb|250px|<small><center>A fresh puncture wound in a donkey - the wound is likely to heal rapidly but the risks of tetanus are more significant. Is the donkey vaccinated and, if not, can suitable protection be provided with antiserum and penicillin? (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
[[Image:Puncture wound 2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Close up of the puncture wound (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
'''Definition: a puncture wound is a wound that has depth rather than size.'''
Puncture wounds in the skin and hoof etc., from sharp objects (e.g. nails,
glass shards, bullets or other foreign bodies) are common and potentially
very serious, although they are easily overlooked or trivialized. The size of
the wound often belies the potential severity of the injury. The skin defect is
usually trivial by comparison to the deeper damage. Even apparently minor
wounds can be fatal if they involve synovial structures, the cranium or the
body cavities. There is a high risk also from infection and anaerobes are
particularly dangerous. The wounds may be difficult to explore effectively; this applies particularly to the sole of the foot. Infections of the interstitial tissues and the lymphatic vessels are termed cellulitis and lymphangitis
respectively. In either case, infection can spread extensively from the site
of the injury. This type of wound proves the ideal anaerobic environment
for [[Clostridium species|Clostridial organisms]] to flourish. [[Clostridium species#Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] is possibly the most dangerous of these.
Management of puncture wounds requires a detailed knowledge of the
regional anatomy and some information on the cause and the direction of
the penetration. Puncture wounds must be treated by scrupulous cleaning
and, if necessary, widening of the injury to ensure full cleaning and avoidance
of anaerobic conditions. [[Antibiotics]] and [[NSAIDs|non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs]] are usually used. Controlled movement is usually considered to be an
important aid to treatment. Tetanus prophylaxis is a major issue.
Healing of the skin wound is incidental in all cases.
==References==
* Knottenbelt, D. (2008) The principles and practice of wound mamagement In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 9
{{toplink
|backcolour = D1EEEE
|linkpage =Wound Types - Donkey
|linktext =Wound Types - Donkey
|rspace={{Donkey}}
|pagetype=Donkey
}}
[[Image:Puncture wound.jpg|left|thumb|250px|<small><center>A fresh puncture wound in a donkey - the wound is likely to heal rapidly but the risks of tetanus are more significant. Is the donkey vaccinated and, if not, can suitable protection be provided with antiserum and penicillin? (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
[[Image:Puncture wound 2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Close up of the puncture wound (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
'''Definition: a puncture wound is a wound that has depth rather than size.'''
Puncture wounds in the skin and hoof etc., from sharp objects (e.g. nails,
glass shards, bullets or other foreign bodies) are common and potentially
very serious, although they are easily overlooked or trivialized. The size of
the wound often belies the potential severity of the injury. The skin defect is
usually trivial by comparison to the deeper damage. Even apparently minor
wounds can be fatal if they involve synovial structures, the cranium or the
body cavities. There is a high risk also from infection and anaerobes are
particularly dangerous. The wounds may be difficult to explore effectively; this applies particularly to the sole of the foot. Infections of the interstitial tissues and the lymphatic vessels are termed cellulitis and lymphangitis
respectively. In either case, infection can spread extensively from the site
of the injury. This type of wound proves the ideal anaerobic environment
for [[Clostridium species|Clostridial organisms]] to flourish. [[Clostridium species#Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] is possibly the most dangerous of these.
Management of puncture wounds requires a detailed knowledge of the
regional anatomy and some information on the cause and the direction of
the penetration. Puncture wounds must be treated by scrupulous cleaning
and, if necessary, widening of the injury to ensure full cleaning and avoidance
of anaerobic conditions. [[Antibiotics]] and [[NSAIDs|non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs]] are usually used. Controlled movement is usually considered to be an
important aid to treatment. Tetanus prophylaxis is a major issue.
Healing of the skin wound is incidental in all cases.
==References==
* Knottenbelt, D. (2008) The principles and practice of wound mamagement In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 9
{{toplink
|backcolour = D1EEEE
|linkpage =Wound Types - Donkey
|linktext =Wound Types - Donkey
|rspace={{Donkey}}
|pagetype=Donkey
}}