[CameronS]

We have just collected three donkeys that are going to be under my care (god forbid the poor animals ) for the next 4 months as my aunt is away in Australia, i have now discovered one of them to have a nasy oozing sore under its right foreleg,
The wound looks pretty clean but i need to have a proper look at it in day light hours, with some one there to pin her against the wall  trust it to be the most visious one!

What would you reccomend to cover the wound with and wash it out, before we call the vet?

Thanks
Cameron

[Roxy]

Poor Donkey!

Where exactly is this sore, Cameron?  Is it actually on the donkeys leg, or hoof?  Do you think its the result of an injury got in the field maybe?
I have my ponies all injected against for tetanus, because it can be fatal if they are not covered for this, and get a cut infected.

If the sore is clean, I would be inclined to leave it, and not cover it with anything.  The problem is getting something to stay on animals legs!!  If it did look to have dirt in it, I would gently clean it with warm water.

The vet may give the donkey a jab of antibiotics.  The good thing is, there are no flies about to hang about the sore, are there!!!

[little blue]

Wash it out with saline (salt water), some kind of 'squirty' bottle is best and just let it run off.
Depending on what you can see, if its not too deep or infected, use a spray antiseptic like gentian violet, or even savlon iodine spray.  these will seal up the wound (hopefully!) so dont use if theres a bad infection or anything stuck - let the vet deal with it first.

Good luck!   

[CameronS]

The wound is right up under her front leg, where the skin streches slightly to the cheast.
The vet has been out and checked it out, removed a 3inch twig, no wonder it was sore and inflamed. She has been given a dose of antibiotics, and has a daily wound wash, so with a bit of luck she will be out in the orchard with her mates soon. 

We go to all this effort for her, and all she gives in return is a sharp cow-kick 

[little blue]

ow... poor donkey!
and you (if it was you that got the kicking?!)

[Roxy]

I am sure she will be feeling relieved the twig has been removed.  Just watch those hooves, donkeys can give a nasty kick when they want

[CameronS]

i learned about the kicking the hard way, i have a hoof sized bruise on my calf  ,  i suppose its all in the job