In response I decided to Google this and see what I could find.
Epi-glue, one of the specially made surgical super glue's threw up a few results; but Ethicon's Dermabond showed considerably more. The keywords superglue emergency wound closure yielded over ten pages of results...
Now don't get me wrong; I am not advocating the use of SuperGlue or War Hammer* Super Glue in the surgical field. However the sterile; hypoallergenic version of cyanoacrylate which has been used for cardiovascular, neurological and even gynaecological and plastic applications.
What I am heralding is the judicious use of SuperGlue as an emergency wound closure. The wound MUST be clean of all organic matter - or as clean as possible; usually cases it is sufficient to use water or a proprietary antiseptic solution.
In humans it is essential that SuperGlue is applied to a non-hairy area; which may mean shaving the area around the wound prior to applying the glue. It is best if the wound is straight, ie not jagged as this makes it easier to stick the edges back together properly!
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A great example of SuperGlue coming to the rescue was on BB's eleventh birthday. We were celebrating the day at the beach; the weather was lovely and the Atlantic Ocean as warm as can be expected at the end of July. Disaster struck when BB somehow managed to slice his big toe open on an aptly named razor shell; the cut was even, deep and wouldn't stop bleeding.
Thankfully BJK came to the rescue; by taking an urgent trip to the local shop I was able to stick her eldest grandsons toe back together and after a while he ventured back into the water and continued to enjoy his birthday. Later that evening we celebrated with coke floats in a local pub restaurant; all in all it was a great day.
Had it not been for SuperGlue his birthday would have been one of blood, pain and several hours ruinous wait in the Emergency Department of Ennis General Hospital; some thirty miles away. The irony of this is that his little brother; LB had already undergone real surgery a few day's previously and was sporting a huge bandage on his big toe!
They say that boys have a competitive nature; but that's ridiculous...
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Returning to the original topic, ie the use of SuperGlue in an emergency; if and when applying it to your injured pet do be very careful to use a muzzle or improvise with a bandage if possible. Poor Gypsophillus didn't enjoy the experience, as it was a real emergency and she was in pain as we moved very quickly to treat her. It wasn't possible to muzzle her and she has sharp teeth, hence restraining her hard by the collar...
Unfortunately, in his over enthusiastic efforts to assist me in my work DG was bitten on the hand, resulting in a small wound which will probably take longer to heal than 'G's great big one!
As they say; all's well that ends well and 'G's running around like a six year old puppy once more. She is still attempting to exert her will upon the very much larger TilleyTwo; under the watchful eye of the true Alpha Bitch:
yours truly
Unfortunately, in his over enthusiastic efforts to assist me in my work DG was bitten on the hand, resulting in a small wound which will probably take longer to heal than 'G's great big one!
As they say; all's well that ends well and 'G's running around like a six year old puppy once more. She is still attempting to exert her will upon the very much larger TilleyTwo; under the watchful eye of the true Alpha Bitch:
yours truly
Polly Peirce!
*Warhammer
4 comments:
Cobwebs are just as efficient and so are Cleevers too!
Cheaper and non-toxic to the envoirnment.
I thought you were a countrywoman ??
That's a great way to clean up the house and garden; unfortunately Gypsophillus wasn't in the mood for playing!
Unfortunately, I don't think I'd find either Cleevers or Cobwebs on Fanore Beach in Co Clare(I'll bear it in mind for next time though)...
My children, well one in particular, were often super glued in A&E, fortunately it's a tiny hospital and one doesn't usually have to wait. Interesting to know the the Gamesworkshop version is pretty sterile.
One advantage of Warhammer SG is that it comes with a brush, but I am not suggesting that it's sterile. However; on day three there are few signs of infection or for that matter; injury.
'G' has even allowed the kids to inspect the wound; without the characteristic snarling that normally accompanies such activities.
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