|
The animals
| Sign up to our e-Newsletter |
|
|
|
|
Fistulous withers
| Our animal health teams see hundreds of animals suffering from pus-filled wounds between the shoulders called fistulous withers.
Causes include overwork, overloading, badly balanced loads, poorly fitting harnesses and friction from pack-saddles.
Many owners do not know how to care properly for their horses and donkeys, so the condition can deteriorate rapidly. | | |  |
Early signs include:
- chafing around the shoulders
- swelling
- infection, causing a pus-filled abscess
And if there is no treatment:
- a raw, painful wound develops
- lesions, blood poisoning and fever can follow
- dehydration and debility can contribute to a painful death
|
| How the Brooke helps
Our teams will treat the condition by removing infected tissue and, if necessary, draining pus from the wound. An antiseptic dressing is applied, antibiotics supplied and rest is recommended. |
The long term solution, though, is to inform owners about:
- the consequences of heavy loads
- avoiding the worst parts of uneven roads and terrain
- the importance of correctly designed and fitted harnesses
- checking pack-saddles several times a day
- spotting harness sores and hair loss before the condition escalates
| | | 
|
|
|
