“my vet was concerned about the coffin bone because of the area of the injury – if she’s not lame, how would I know if the coffin was affected?”…

My horse got a nail puncture above her heel, right above the coronary band yesterday. I called my vet, who walked me through what it looked like; the angle it was poking out at – parallel to the ground; pulling it out – it was in at least 2 inches, head first; cleaning it; and bandaging it. However, the horse is not in pain, and I am wondering how long to leave it bandaged, and on stall rest. I understand that punctures need to be open to heal, but I worry about infection. Do I keep her on stall rest, and how long? She is not due for Tetanus until Febuary, and I started SMZs within 3 hours of the injury. She will be on them for several days. What should I look for as far as healing and treatment? Also, my vet was concerned about the coffin bone because of the area of the injury – if she’s not lame, how would I know if the coffin was affected?

Dr. Kimberly Gryl’s Answer:

Cynthia:

It is difficult to tell without seeing the wound myself, but the trajectory you describe sounds as if you may have gotten very lucky, as far as not having hit any vital structures. However, infection can take time to develop, and only 24 hours after the injury may still not be enough time to tell that she is not (or will not become) infected. Always presume the worst until time and treatment proves otherwise. Puncture wounds should be left open to drain and heal from the inside out. However, you must keep the wound wrapped. The foot is one of the dirtiest parts of the horse’s body, as it is always trapsing through the mud and muck. Follow your veterinarian’s orders to a tee, and if she should go lame, have her seen immediately. X-rays will probably be done at that point. If she never shows lameness, and it’s a few weeks out, she may be fine. But a follow-up recheck visit will better tell you.