Incised Wound - Donkey
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Definition: an incised wound is one in which the skin is cut cleanly with minimal tearing and bruising of the wound margins.
An incised wound (including a surgical wound) has a sharply defined margin and is caused by sharp metal or glass, flint or occasionally the leading edge of a shoe. In accidental wounds concurrent injury to non-cutaneous structures is common.
The reflex arterial constriction that occurs when skin is cut means that there is usually remarkably little haemorrhage in the immediate post-injury stage. Thereafter, there may be considerable haemorrhage associated with vasodilation, especially if arteries/arterioles are involved. Haemorrhage may be controlled by pressure bandaging or clamping/ligation of significant vessels.
Incised wounds are often amenable to first intention healing and, with the possible exception of the distal limb where there is some controversy over the need to or benefit from suturing, healing is correspondingly rapid.
Important note As nerves and arteries often run in close proximity, blindly feeling for the vessel with a pair of haemostats in the conscious donkey can be very dangerous!
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
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