Management of saddle and harness sores in a pack mule


on day four although the caudal aspect of the pastern wound still had a plug of devitalised tissue [Fig 3]. This was removed by dissection and the wound was cleaned with spring water before application of a second dressing (Tielle™, Systagenix Wound Management). This was placed circumferentially around the pastern and secured in place with Micropore tape. The dressing was then protected with a few layers of cohesive bandaging tape (Vetrap™, 3M). Unfortunately, the mule’s owner removed these bandages the next day when he arrived in his own village as he did not want people to think that his mule was unable to work. After this the mule walked for two hours


through the dust without dressings. At the end of the trek, the importance of washing the wound regularly and keeping it clean was again emphasised to the mule’s owner.


RATIONALE Decisions about whether or not to treat a mule’s wounds during a trekking expedition have to be made within a sociocultural context. The wounds cannot be reduced to a simple clinical problem and managed in isolation. The owner of the mule is likely to view such wounds as commonplace and of little significance as they usually heal by themselves and may not seem to affect the animal’s ability to work. However, the animal’s welfare also needs to be considered and the pros and cons of an intervention need to be weighed up. In this case study, the clipping and cleaning of the wounds allowed an evaluation to be made. This can help identify factors that need to be addressed if wound healing is to progress (Table 1). Laying the wound bare allowed the owner and expedition guide to see the extent of the wound and the fact that it had been caused by a tether. This emphasised the need to address the cause of the wound by using a better tethering system. Bandages are often used to cover wounds in the lower limbs of equines to protect them from contamination and oedema, absorb exudates, minimise movement and protect against further trauma[1,2]


. However,


bandages have also been shown to lead to greater wound retraction and the promotion of excessive granulation tissue in surgical models of second intention wound healing in the distal limb of horses[3]


. Dart et al’s study


concluded that unbandaged wounds did not take any longer to heal and showed greater


Figure 1 – Despite the author’s objections, the mule was required to carry all the group’s equipment rather than spreading it between two mules.


initial contraction. These results would appear to suggest that the benefits of bandaging wounds on the lower limbs of horses are, as yet, unproven. Other factors to consider when


contemplating treatment include the cost of dressings and the fact that they require training to be applied correctly. In developing countries the availability of dressings is often limited and owners of pack mules are unlikely to have the inclination or ability to continue to dress an animal’s wounds after the initial treatment.


DISCUSSION It is unclear what benefit arose from the use of the dressings during this expedition. The wounds to the dorsal aspect of the pastern had healed by the time the dressing was removed on day four, but it could also be argued they would probably have healed by themselves. The removal of the plug of necrotic tissue on day four sought to eliminate a factor that was impeding wound healing. This created a fresh wound that required protection from contamination and infection. This may not have been sensible given the owner’s attitude, the fact that ongoing care could not be guaranteed and that the mule would continue to work in dusty conditions rather than be afforded a period of rest. The risks associated with an open


tethering wound are difficult to quantify. Bacterial contamination of the wound is to be expected, however, how often will this overwhelm the animal’s ability to deal


Page points


1. The decision to treat or not to treat a mule’s wounds during a trekking expedition has to be assessed within a socio-cultural context


2. In this case study, the clipping and cleaning of the wounds allowed an evaluation to be made


3. This can help identify factors that need to be addressed if wound healing is to progress


4. Other factors to consider when contemplating treatment include the cost and availability of dressings and the fact that they require training to be applied correctly


References


4.Wilmink JM, Stolk PW, Van Weeren PR, Barneveld A. Differences in second- intention wound healing between horses and ponies: macroscopic aspects. Equine Vet J 1999; 31: 53–60.


5.Wilmink JM, Van Weeren PR, Stolk PW, Van Mil FN, Barneveld A. Differences in second-intention wound healing between horses and ponies: histological aspects. Equine Vet J 1999; 31: 61–67.


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