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Dr. Michael Levi, Ph.D.
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of Digger's devastating accident. |
Digger is a 6 year old Quarter Horse mare owned by Kathy & Gene Lee of Lee Cattle and Quarter Horses. On July, 19, 1999, there was a freak "Storm-nado" that blew @ 90 mph through the brood mare pasture pushing the mares and babies through the barbed wire fencing. Unfortunately, it had disasterous results!
Digger and one of the fillies were hauled to Belle Fourche Veterinarian Clinic the afternoon they were found. The Lee's 3 month old filly was so badly cut that there was no saving her. She died on the floor of the clinic. Digger received wounds so severe that the veterinarian suggested that she be put down. Kathy said that Digger had a total of 8 1/2" of exposed bone and the muscle in her front left leg had been completely severed. Because Digger is such a pretty and well bred mare, the decision was made to make every attempt to save her life.
Digger spent the next nine days in intensive care before she was allowed to go home to the ranch. Prognosis was precarious at best. The primary challanges were keeping the gaping wounds on her legs and chest bacteria free from infection and the mare quiet in order to allow the tissue to heal. The problem that was posed with iodine products was the mare's reaction to the pain. When Digger tried to get away from the discomfort of the medication, there was a chance that she would fall. If she went down, there wouldn't be any way to get her up.
Equine Elite Labs was in its first stages of educating people about the powerful bacterial killing results of Equine Relief Antimicrobial solutions. Kathy knew that a non-irritating yet effective germ killer was necessary to keep Digger quiet and the wounds medicated.... so she called right away. We sent our Equine Relief Antimicrobial Body Wash to the Lee Ranch. The Antimicrobial Body Wash has the powerful bacterial/microorganism killing power (99.9% effective) solution of benzylkonium chloride suspended in skin softeners and conditioners. (a prorietary FDA registered formula created for the medical industry) The results of keeping a wound bacteria & infection free is accelerated healing. The body doesn't spend any time fighting off infection and can spend the same energy on tissue repair. Unlike iodine and alcohol products which will dry skin with extended use, the Equine Relief Antimicrobial Solutions contain skin conditioners that are ph balanced to maintain correct skin moisture.
Kathy kept the wounds clean. She used the antimicrobial body wash in the mornings and the antimicrobial spray in the evenings. The flies didnt bother the wounds because the tissue stayed healthy. (note: There are no repellents in the antimicrobial solutions... but with the absence of deteriorating tissue, there was nothing to attract the flies!) Digger did develop a reaction to the thuja oxide pink medication the vet put on her when she was at the clinic... but never a reaction with the clear Equine Relief Antimicrobial gel. It only took 7 weeks for the bone to get covered completely. When the veterinarian checked the mare, he said "What are you DOING? .. She's Healing so FAST!" ... Kathy told him that she'd been keeping the wounds germ free. The vets were amazed that the bone stayed white, hard & healthy after being exposed to the air for so long. (note: it is highly unusual for no bone degradation to occur. It generally "sluffs" or oxidizes in the presence of airborn bacteria. Digger's bone remained healthy)
Digger could move only in a backwards motion the first 3 weeks until she figured out she could pull her leg forward a little at a time. She never was able to lay down until some time in mid-October when Kathy noticed she had hay on her back. The mare's courage kept Kathy going. Digger wanted to be with the other mares!
On November 16, 1999 the vet came out and watched Digger run as best she could... with a big grin on his face he gave Kathy the ok to let Digger out with the mares. Her best run is a true extended trot but she can still beat some of the "sound" mares back to the barn!
Kathy says "I owe her recovery to my vets and the Equine Relief Antimicrobial products which I still administer on her about once a week. I hope to have it healed by March of 2000 in time to get her rebred. She is a true miracle mare!"
... and we at Equine ELite Labs agree with Kathy!!
Update: When Digger was turned out and Kathy was medicating her once per week, she needed a medication that had MAXIMUM skin softening capability. (a soft wound is a faster healing wound) Kathy started using the Wound Relief (which is in a creamy base loaded with emollients) in place of the Body Wash. We received a call from Kathy after she first tried it. "Holy Moly!! You could see a major improvement over night!!"
 The afternoon of the storm. |
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 19 Sept 99 The muscle from the back of Digger's front left leg has started to move around to the front. She now has some foreward motion of her leg! |
 At this point, Digger was turned out in pasture and medicated about once per week. |
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 The white around the wound is the Wound Relief. |
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