It has now been 3 weeks since Speed was attacked.  He continues to need a great deal of daily care, but is able to walk short distances on a lead line without limping, in spite of the tremendous damage to his left rear leg.  This leg was torn and punctured both inside and outside and has needed drains.  The inside has always been the most involved and had to be opened right away to allow the infection to drain off.  We thought we were going to be able to save most of the skin on the outside thigh, but midweek last week, it began to swell and the skin was becoming thick and irregular.  On Friday, Dr. Lizas began removing the dead tissue and found the area  underneath enlarged with pus.  She had to open it further to drain and clean it.  We have also changed his antibiotic from Nuflor to LA200.  I think he is responding well to this because the area has improved over the weekend.  I am grateful that Speed is able to get up and walk.  He is eating well and eliminating fine.  Initially he lost about 20 pounds right after the attack.  He was eating grain fine, but was not eating as much forage because he was spending the majority of his day cushed.  We have pushed the forage and created several small enclosed grassy areas to rotate him on, while he is on the grass he mostly stands and grazes.  He gained back 6 of the lost pounds.  We will keep pushing the forage. 

Below is this weeks photo.....

 

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