Very Common
Less Common
Related Observations
This treatment might be used for a horse exhibiting these signs.
Treatment
A way to improve or resolve a condition or diagnosis. This might include resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment).
YOUR VET MAY Recommend
Pin Firing or Thermocautery
Summary
Pin firing is an old veterinary treatment in which a hot metal tipped instrument (firing iron) is used to burn a pattern of small holes through the skin overlying an injury (usually lower limb injury). Different practitioners suggested that different depths and patterns of holes were needed to get the desired effect.
There are different theories as to why this treatment should work. The most common is that it causes the body to intensify healing efforts at the location (whether through increased circulation or other factors), thereby improving or speeding healing the original injury.
No mechanism has ever been proven, and the effectiveness of the treatment has also never been proven.
In this procedure, the skin is first clipped of hair. The skin is cleaned and disinfected, and anesthetized using nerve blocks or local anesthesia. Following the firing, most practitioners covered the area in what is known as a blister, a chemical compound that caused further irritation. This was usually covered in a tight wrap, and the horse was confined to a stall for a set period of time.
The conditions most commonly treated include dorsal metacarpal disease (bucked shins), splint exostoses, curb, and sometimes tendon injuries.
Pin Firing is not used frequently today, and has been (somewhat) replaced by freeze firing, a similar procedure using liquid nitrogen instead of a hot iron. Pin firing still has its practitioners though, especially at various racetracks.
YOUR VET'S ROLE
In most cases today, your vet will not suggest a treatment like pin firing.
YOUR ROLE
If pin firing is suggested as a treatment, you should question the logic of using this age-old treatment.
Surely there are other treatments that are superior and cause less pain and suffering to the horse.
There are different theories as to why this treatment should work. The most common is that it causes the body to intensify healing efforts at the location (whether through increased circulation or other factors), thereby improving or speeding healing the original injury.
No mechanism has ever been proven, and the effectiveness of the treatment has also never been proven.
In this procedure, the skin is first clipped of hair. The skin is cleaned and disinfected, and anesthetized using nerve blocks or local anesthesia. Following the firing, most practitioners covered the area in what is known as a blister, a chemical compound that caused further irritation. This was usually covered in a tight wrap, and the horse was confined to a stall for a set period of time.
The conditions most commonly treated include dorsal metacarpal disease (bucked shins), splint exostoses, curb, and sometimes tendon injuries.
Pin Firing is not used frequently today, and has been (somewhat) replaced by freeze firing, a similar procedure using liquid nitrogen instead of a hot iron. Pin firing still has its practitioners though, especially at various racetracks.
YOUR VET'S ROLE
In most cases today, your vet will not suggest a treatment like pin firing.
YOUR ROLE
If pin firing is suggested as a treatment, you should question the logic of using this age-old treatment.
Surely there are other treatments that are superior and cause less pain and suffering to the horse.
my vet's role
Related Diagnoses
This treatment might be used to treat these conditions or ailments.
Know Related Treatments
Your vet considers other treatments that might be used along with or instead of this treatment.
CONSIDER POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS & COMPLICATIONS
Pin firing and blistering cause moderate to severe pain and inflammation.CONSIDER REASONS NOT TO USE THIS TREATMENT
The question is whether firing and blistering have any place in modern equine veterinary medicine. There are regions in which the practice of pin firing is illegal.your role
Related Skills
These are skills you might need if your horse is getting this treatment.
Is it working? Timeframe for effect.
Horses undergo days to weeks of inflammation - swelling, reddening and drainage from the wounds. If the primary problem heals, the question is whether it would have healed as well without this treatment, or better with other less antiquated treatments.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Is this really the best treatment for this injury?
further reading & resources
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
