Remember ‘Thing’ from The Addams Family?
I kept thinking about him today… I needed him.
I’ll get to that later.
Do you remember ‘Thing’ from The Addams Family? I needed him today…
WHAT I’VE LEARNED FROM ROUNDS 1-3 OF MAGGOT THERAPY…
Today was Round 4 of the maggot therapy.
Why so many Rounds?
Well, Round 1 went great but we didn’t know that there was more infection in there… and it came back.
Round 2 went well – and that time we knew to do a Round 3 right away because we wanted all the maggots to die of starvation (means there is no more dead tissue in there to eat) instead of growing fat, happy and plump – which they all were.
Not the best photo of our girl. The light was going… As you can see, she is sporting HorseAngel Aladdin’s heavy blanket. He passed suddenly and this blanket was almost new. It was difficult to see it on her but I hope it carries him with it – I hope he is helping in his way.
ROUND 3
So, Round 3 happened last Friday.
Well… it all went to heck in a handbasket. First off, her boot came off during the night, so I was sure all the maggots had been crushed. Next, Hubby fed her and turned on the Theraplate, not thinking much of it. Tess was standing on the Theraplate, so he turned it on, naturally.
Well, I was sure that the Theraplate killed whatever maggots were left.
So, I had the vet order more maggot for today.
But last Sunday, on a hunch, I decided to put in the maggots I had stored in the refrigerator (in the barn) because I wasn’t able to scoop them all out of the container – so I held them in the fridge. Anyway, they were still alive on Sunday so I unwrapped her hoof and inserted the leftover bugs.
OMG! Out poured a ton of fat and healthy maggots!!
They had survived no boots and the Theraplate!
Hearty little buggers.
They must have been way up inside her hoof, eating, when the boot came off. And, clearly, they didn’t mind the Theraplate. In fact, if I had to judge, I’d say they thrived with the vibration! These maggots were the healthiest I had seen! (Another hidden wonder of the Theraplate.)
Anyway, I inserted the tiny bugs that had been in my refer last Sunday morning.
And, on Monday night, they were fully mature.
Ugh. So, we know that she has enough food (necrotic tissue) to grow a maggot in a very short time.
Yikes. We need more troops!
The newest Troops!
PREPARATION
I’m getting good at this.
Except, I needed ‘Thing’.
Just one more hand… that’s all. One hand to hold up her foot as I wrap it.
As it was, I balanced her hoof on my knee. But, I also wanted to put bugs on the front of her hoof by her coronet band and that was tough while holding her hoof on my knee.
Anyway, first I had the sterile gauze saturated with saline solution.
Then, I prepped the wrap. I put the scissors nearby because this vetwrap doesn’t tear well (ugh).
I had cleaned and inserted the cut-out pad into her Equine Slipper.
(For me, the Equine Slipper stays on the best. It is ground level and has really strong velcro. She seems to like it best as well.)
Oh, and the towel. She needs to stand on a clean towel.
I had it all ready.
Here are my tools. The saline filled gauze, scissors and vetwrap (not pictured).
This is her Equine Slipper. We’ve modified it with a pad that has a cut-out at the toe so that the maggots have a ‘break room’ without being crushed.
NO COOPERATION FROM THE QUEEN
Mama Tess had had a day without anything in or on her hoof and I think she liked it. Because when I went to pick up her hoof to put the towel under her hoof, she declined.
This is when THING would have been a benefit…
Tess and I argued about this for a few minutes until I relented and gave her more soaked beet pulp.
She lifted her foot.
As I mentally prepared myself to wipe, pack, gauze, wrap and boot in a nanosecond, I looked up at her.
Me: Why are you fighting me today?
MT: YOU have bugs trapped in your foot and see how you feel!
Me: Is it weird feeling?
MT: What do you think?…
Me: Sorry, but they are doing a good job.
MT: Well, it feels like my hoof is constantly tingling and vibrating and stinging a bit.
Me: But they are only eating dead stuff.
MT: I’m just sayin’…
She walked off the Theraplate and was more comfortable. I think the big maggots feel weird in there. She doesn’t seem to notice the itty, bitty sized maggots.
For me, the Equine Slipper is the most effective boot. It doesn’t come off and the insert fits well. And, it is flush to the ground.
AND PRESTO CHANGO, IT WAS DONE!
Likity split, when she agreed to lift her foot, I sprung into action!
Again, there were too many escapee maggots for me to get them all into her hoof. So, I put the extras in the refer. I’ll use them on Thursday.
For now, she has been rewarded with dry NSC hay and more soaked beet pulp.
She was happy.
She was happy.
WHA?
I was trying to understand how it felt to her to have her hoof/nail unstable… She seems bugged but not agitated by the pain.
And then… as I was reaching for the umpteenth bandaid for my splitting fingers, I knew.
My finger tips have split and I cannot control it. My right hand (dominant) has 4 split fingers. I’ve never, ever had this happen to me. But, for the last several months, one or all of my fingers on my right hand are in stages of split.
Ouch. Tough to do just about anything. Typing, washing dishes, opening anything, writing, grabbing, driving, pushing the button on the camera… everything that involves my fingers – hurts. Annoying but doable.
Um hmmm. I think I’ll ponder that one a bit – on a few levels.
Two of my split fingers.
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You might be able to get the Zim’s at a drug store in the medicated section, like by the band aids. Or ask someone there. I’ve had this happen, my husband too. I’ve noticed lately mine starting as I volunteer at a wildlife refuge and it’s starting to get cold here. He gets an ointment from his dermatologist. When I’ve had them this bad at night a put Neosporin and wrap in band aids, cover a much of the tip as you can with however many you need to keep the ointment on. Then in the morning as you can keep them wrapped. I know it’s a pain but use rubber gloves!! *L* Get ones that fit the best and use them as much as you can. You can use the Zims or just put Neosporin on your fingers and put the gloves on. Plus they will keep your hands warm outside! *L* At least when you are washing dishes or cleaning try to get in the habit of using them. I get mine at Walmart and they are longer than the Playtex and have a wide cuff. Get a pair that fits well though. The cold is not our friend as you know. If you can get it under control get one of the hand creams that are made for winter use in the lotion area at the store. Get a tube to carry in your pocket and use it a lot! Heck just plain old vaseline will help. Sorry to go on but I’ve tried a lot of things too and I know how much it hurts. You just have to find what works for you and what you can remember to use. Good luck I feel for you!!
Zim’s Crack Cream is good which I use, but not enough. When I have really bad cracks, I put Super Glue on it and it works and stops the pain. Those suckers really HURT!!!
I use ‘Liquid Skin’ on my fingers – I paint that stuff on, several coats. My husband hates it because it smells of Cloves. It makes the splits waterproof and with enough coats it serves as a buffer. It’s a great invention, surgeons use it, too, instead of stitches. I’m sure theirs is ‘industrial strength.’
Boy I get splits ALL The time, and oh do they hurt! Mama Tess is looking good. Keep up the work you little maggots! What wonderful little things.
For the split fingers I can help you with that you need to try the below product.
http://www.zimsusa.com/brands/Zim's-Crack-Creme.html
I prefer the original formula its liquid. The stuff all smells funny I think it’s the arnica flower. Some ingredient in it also has a wonderful pain relieving quality!
Just want to say what an amazing person you are. The patience tenderness kindness and love that you’ve shown this horse through this difficulty is simply inspirational. You and Mama Tess are in my prayers I believe she will come through this and so will you God bless you