It has been almost two months since Molly injured her right rear leg in a strange accident. We have continued to monitor the wound, and kept it clean and under wraps while it was large and open. Which is to say, we kept it under wraps until yesterday. Yes, it's taking that long to heal. In fact, it still hasn't scabbed over entirely; there's still an opening just smaller than a dime, surrounded by encrustation. We had the vet out at the end of August to examine the wound and to give rabies and other vaccine shots to the two donkeys. He also gave Molly a tetanus shot.
The vet was back here this morning to administer booster shots, which takes care of vaccinations for a whole year. Maybe this time next year, we'll feel comfortable enough to get our own supply of vaccine and administer it ourselves. Maybe.
The vet also looked at Molly's crusty wound, said it was healing without signs of infection, but noted that she is developing what is known as "proud flesh" - too much granulation tissue that can bulge in an unsightly manner, and - much worse - keep the wound from healing over properly. Proud flesh is a common development in deep wounds on the lower leg in equines. The vet removed a good amount of the granulation (boy, did Molly kick!) and advised us to dry her wound out with more scarlet oil spray. It may be taking a long time to heal, but we're just glad there's no infection and no apparent discomfort to Molly - not counting the discomfort we cause by administering to her injury. She seems to forgive us for that quickly enough, good little donkey that she is.
Hello Janis,
Sorry to hear that wound is taking so long to heal. Glad to hear that progress is being made.
BTW, I have enjoyed reading your farmette reports for a long time. You pleasant rural stories and pictures are always interesting. Your stories reminded me of reading a news paper that my Grandparents had in their home one summer that I stayed there in Upper Michigan (my age ~14). I remember looking forward to the next issue, which was rare for me since it had to do with reading.
Do you remember the news paper they would advertise in the back of comic books for youngsters to deliver, back 40 years ago? Probably before your time. I had forgotten the name, but searched the web and found it today. It is called GRIT. To my surprise the paper is still being circulated. I even order a 1-year subscription to see what the paper is all about. You may want to check out www.grit.com . I think, it's a pleasent news, nation wide rural news paper.
Posted by: Chrashing | Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 09:13 PM
Chrashing, I'm tickled pink that you get a kick out of reading my brief observations of adjusting to rural life! And, yes, I most certainly do remember seeing those ads for GRIT - my memory is more like 30 years ago than 40, but whatever. I never thought it was a 'for real' publication, and here it turns out to still be going strong. I checked out the site; it's hard to resist a mag that includes articles on Keeping Pie Making Alive. I can't wait to see their biscuit and cornbread issue. ;)
Posted by: Janis | Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 09:55 PM
Hello Janis,
Yea, 40 years was too high an estimate. I'll keep an eye out for your peach pie submission!
Posted by: Chrashing | Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 10:21 PM
Vets hate donkeys. The little donkeys are not passive patients.
Posted by: ricky | Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 08:58 PM
Actually, our vet seems pretty good with the donkeys, including their feistiness. Maybe we just lucked out.
Now the farrier, on the other hand....
Posted by: Janis | Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 11:43 PM