Equine wounds refer to any physical injuries that occur on the skin or underlying tissues of horses. These injuries can result from various causes, such as trauma, surgical procedures, or environmental factors. The healing process of equine wounds involves a complex series of physiological events, including inflammation, tissue formation, and remodeling. Factors such as wound location, size, and the horse's overall health can influence the healing process. Effective management of equine wounds often requires an understanding of wound types, healing stages, and potential complications. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the mechanisms, treatment strategies, and outcomes associated with wound healing in horses.
Wilson DA.The equine practitioner can positively influence wound healing by dispensing appropriate treatment in the first few hours after injury. Positive actions in the early period include hemostasis, meticulous cleansing and debridement of the wound, the use of effective but nonirritating products to disinfect the wound, closure (if indicated)with minimal tension on the suture line, the judicious use of drains,and ensuring adequate tetanus protection. Furthermore, a thorough assessment of the wound and the patient in the initial period after trauma provides pertinent information on prognosis. Finally...
Wilmink JM, van Weeren PR.Second-intention repair is faster in ponies than in horses and faster in body wounds than in limb wounds. To a large extent, the differences between horses and ponies can be explained by differences in the local inflammatory response, which are a result of the functional capacity of leukocytes. In ponies, leukocytes produce more inflammatory mediators,resulting in better local defense, faster cellular debridement, and a faster transition to the repair phases, with more wound contraction. In horses,leukocytes produce fewer mediators, initiating a weak inflammatory response, which becomes chroni...
Linde HJ, Kobuch R, Jayasinghe S, Reischl U, Lehn N, Kaulfuss S, Beutin L.We report the first case of a postoperative wound infection caused by Vibrio metschnikovii on the lower right leg of a patient after saphenectomy. Compared to the healing of an uninfected site, that of the right leg was delayed, and a cure was achieved by intensified wound care. Several swabs taken from the infected site grew a gram-negative rod in pure culture that was identified as V. metschnikovii by the VITEK 2 system. The source of the infection was not detected; however, the absence of putative risk factors (exposure to water or shellfish or an episode of diarrhea), the profession of the...
Pollitt CC, Daradka M.Surgical stripping of the hoof wall results in a wound that heals remarkabley well. In contrast, lamellae recovering from laminitis are often deformed. Investigating lamellar wound healing may aid understanding of laminitis. Objective: To document temporal changes in the lamellar basement membrane (BM), dermis and epidermis after surgery. Methods: Wall strips were made in the dorsal hoof wall midline of 6 mature horses. Immunohistochemistry was used to document changes in the basement membrane (BM) and detect proliferation of epidermal cells in lamellar tissues harvested at intervals. A confor...
Farstvedt EG, Hendrickson DA, Dickenson CE, Spier SJ.Two horses were examined for large head wounds suspected to be the result of trauma and characterized by extensive necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, with abundant purulent exudate. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated from the facial wounds in both horses. Histopathologic examination revealed severe suppurative cellulitis and panniculitis with fistulous tracts and granulation tissue in 1 horse. Both horses were treated with local wound care, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and administration of antimicrobials. The concept of moist wound care was used in the second ...
Booth TM, Abbot J, Clements A, Singer ER, Clegg PD.To describe and evaluate a technique for radical resection of the entire intrathecal component of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Seven client-owned horses. Methods: Seven horses with wounds that resulted in septic tenosynovitis of the CDET sheath were treated by complete surgical resection of the affected tendon and ablation of the tendon sheath; 5 had previous surgery that was unsuccessful. Time from initial injury to complete resection was 1-22 weeks. In 6 horses, the wound was closed primarily using a closed suction (4 hors...
Engelen M, Besche B, Lefay MP, Hare J, Vlaminck K.The objective of this multicentre, randomized, controlled field study was to determine the efficacy of ketanserin gel in preventing exuberant granulation tissue formation (hypergranulation) and infection in equine lower limb wounds. Horses and ponies (n = 481) with naturally occurring wounds were randomized to either topical treatment with ketanserin gel (n = 242) or a positive control (Belgium, Germany: ethacridin lactate solution, n = 120; France, United Kingdom: malic, benzoic, and salicylic acid [MBS] cream, n = 119). Treatment continued until the wound healed (success), formed hypergranul...
Gomez JH, Schumacher J, Lauten SD, Sartin EA, Hathcock TL, Swaim SF.Three biologic dressings [split-thickness allogeneic skin (STS)], allogeneic peritoneum (P), and xenogenic porcine small intestinal submucosa (PSIS)] were studied to determine their effects on bacterial proliferation, inflammatory reaction, vascularization, and overall healing and to compare the effects of these dressings with the effects of a nonbiologic dressing, a nonadherent synthetic pad (NASP). A medial wound (3 cm in diameter) and 2 lateral wounds (2 cm in diameter) were created at the junction of the proximal and middle thirds of each metacarpus and metatarsus in 5 horses. Each medial ...
De Martin I, Theoret CL.To describe immunolocalization of TGF-beta receptors (RI and RII) in normal equine skin and in thoracic or limb wounds, healing normally or with exuberant granulation tissue (EGT). Methods: Group A: six wounds on one metacarpus and one midthoracic area. Group B: six wounds on both metacarpi, one of which was bandaged to stimulate EGT. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect RI and RII expression in wound margins. Methods: Eight horses, randomly assigned to one of two study groups. Methods: Neutralizing polyclonal anti-rabbit RI and RII antibodies were used to detect spatial expression of RI an...
Ollivier FJ, Brooks DE, Schultz GS, Blalock TD, Andrew SE, Komaromy AM, Cutler TJ, Lassaline ME, Kallberg ME, Van Setten GB.Healing of corneal ulcers in horses is often associated with profound corneal stromal fibrosis and scar formation resulting in visual impairment. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a fibrogenic cytokine involved in wound healing and scarring. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CTGF was present in the tear fluid of normal horse eyes and the eyes of horses with corneal ulcers in order to evaluate the role of CTGF in corneal wound healing and corneal scar formation. Methods: Tear fluid samples were collected from 65 eyes of 44 horses; 32 samples from normal eyes, 21 samples...
Haber M, Cao Z, Panjwani N, Bedenice D, Li WW, Provost PJ.The physiologic mechanisms involving growth factors, including PDGF-BB, EGF, and TGF-beta 1, as potent mediators of fibroblasts and epithelial cells in corneal wound healing remain unknown. The goal of this study was to determine culture methods for equine epithelial cells and keratocytes and to investigate how exogenous growth factors influence proliferation of both cell types. Methods: Cell cultures were established from healthy corneas harvested from horses immediately following euthanasia and maintained using standard tissue culture protocols. To determine the effects of PDGF-BB, EGF, TGF-...
Pusterla N, Watson JL, Affolter VK, Magdesian KG, Wilson WD, Carlson GP.The medical records of 53 horses with purpura haemorrhagica were reviewed. Seventeen of them had been exposed to or infected with Streptococcus equi, nine had been infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, five had been vaccinated with S. equi M protein, five had had a respiratory infection of unknown aetiology, and two had open wounds; the other 15 cases had no history of recent viral or bacterial infection. The horses were between six months and 19 years of age (mean 8.4 years). The predominant clinical signs were well demarcated subcutaneous oedema of all four limbs and haemorrhages...
Carter CA, Jolly DG, Worden CE, Hendren DG, Kane CJ.Nonhealing wounds of the lower equine limb represent a challenging model. The platelet is a natural source of a myriad of growth factors and cytokines that promote wound healing. This study evaluates the potential of platelet derived factors to enhance wound healing in the lower equine limb. Platelets were isolated from horse blood and activated with thrombin, a process known to induce growth factor release. This produced a platelet gel composed of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). To test this all-natural wound healant, 2.5-cm(2) full thickness cutaneous wounds were created below the knee and hock ...
Feige K, Kästner SB, Dempfle CE, Balestra E.Activation of coagulation can be frequently found in horses with colic. However, it has also been demonstrated as a sequela of surgical trauma alone in humans. The purpose of the present study was to determine changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis in horses that underwent colic surgery and to evaluate whether these changes were secondary to the colic or the surgery and wound healing. Thirty horses that underwent colic surgery with uncomplicated recovery were included. Ten horses with a Forssell's procedure served as control group with a standardized surgical trauma. Besides daily physical ex...
Berry DB, Sullins KE.To determine whether povidone iodine ointment or 2 forms of silver sulfadiazine applied topically to wounds of the distal aspect of the limbs in horses affect the rate of second intention healing and to evaluate the additional influence of bandaging with these antimicrobials on granulation tissue formation. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Six standardized 2.5-cm2 skin wounds/horse were distributed between the dorsomedial surfaces of the metacarpi and metatarsi. One of the following 6 treatments was applied to each wound: 1% silver sulfadiazine cream with bandage, 1% silver sulfadiazi...
Schwartz AJ, Wilson DA, Keegan KG, Ganjam VK, Sun Y, Weber KT, Zhang J.To determine significant molecular and cellular factors responsible for differences in second-intention healing in thoracic and metacarpal wounds of horses. Methods: 6 adult mixed-breed horses. Methods: A full-thickness skin wound on the metacarpus and another such wound on the pectoral region were created, photographed, and measured, and tissue was harvested from these sites weekly for 4 weeks. Gene expression of type-I collagen, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were determined by quantitative in situ ...
Wilmink JM, van Herten J, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.In accidental wounds, trauma and infection can result in dehiscence of primarily closed wounds and in sequestrum formation when cortical bone is exposed. In experimental studies, it has been shown that second intention healing is faster and occurs with less complications in ponies than in horses. Also, a greater initial inflammatory response was seen in ponies. Based on these experimental data, it was hypothesised that accidental wounds in ponies would heal with a lower incidence of wound dehiscence and/or sequestrum formation compared to horses. A retrospective study of 89 ponies and 422 hors...
van den Boom R, Wilmink JM, O'Kane S, Wood J, Ferguson MW.Wound healing in horses is often complicated by wound infection, exuberant granulation tissue, and hypertrophic scars, especially when wounds are located on the limbs. Wound healing in ponies is less problematic, characterized by a greater degree of wound contraction and a more intense initial inflammatory response. Because both processes are influenced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), it was hypothesized that the better wound healing in ponies was associated with different TGF-beta profiles. A series of small wounds was created on the distal limbs and hindquarters of ponies and ...
Dart AJ, Cries L, Jeffcott LB, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.To evaluate the effect of a commercially available 25% propylene glycol hydrogel preparation (Solugel; Johnson and Johnson Medical, North Ryde, Australia) on healing of full-thickness skin wounds on the distal aspect of the limb in horses. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Eight Standardbred horses. Methods: Standardized (2.5 x 2.5 cm) full-thickness skin wounds were created over the mid-dorsomedial aspect of both metacarpi in 8 horses. One wound in each horse was dressed with saline solution (0.9% NaCl) soaked gauze, and one was treated with Solugel under dry regular gauze; wounds were then ban...
Dart AJ, Cries L, Jeffcott LB, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.To evaluate the effect of intramuscular administration of recombinant equine growth hormone on healing of full thickness skin wounds on equine limbs. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Nine Standardbred horses. Methods: In study 1, standardized full thickness skin wounds (2.5 x 2.5 cm) were made over the dorsomedial aspect of the mid-cannon bone of 1 forelimb and 1 hindlimb in 9 horses. Wounds were bandaged without treatment (control subjects) and videorecorded twice weekly until healed. Then, in study 2, similar wounds were created on the opposite limbs; 6 horses were administered intramuscular ...
Theoret CL, Barber SM, Moyana TN, Gordon JR.To determine whether transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and -beta3 expression differs between equine limb wounds healing normally and those healing with experimentally induced exuberant granulation tissue (EGT). Methods: Six wounds were created on the lateral aspect of both metacarpi of each horse; one forelimb was untreated, and the other was bandaged to stimulate the development of EGT. Sequential wound biopsies allowed comparison of growth factor expression between the two types of wound. Methods: Four horses (2 to 4 years of age; 350 to 420 kg). Methods: Wounds were assessed grossly, h...
Theoret CL, Barber SM, Gordon JR.To describe the localization of immunoreactive transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in both normal skin and full-thickness dermal wounds of the limb and the thorax of the horse. Methods: Six full-thickness excisional wounds were created on the lateral aspect of one metacarpal region and on the midthoracic area of each horse. Sequentially collected tissue specimens from wound margins were assessed for TGF-beta1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Methods: Four horses (2 to 4 years of age). Methods: A neutralizing monoclonal anti-human TGF-beta1 antibody was used to detect the spatial expressi...
Bell NJ, Thomas S.An aged female donkey developed a severe, localised, suppurative panniculitis secondary to a skin wound. Bacterial culture of swabs taken from the wound gave a profuse growth of multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a profuse growth of Escherichia coli and a moderate growth of beta-haemolytic Streptococcus species. The lesion did not respond to conventional medical and surgical treatment and continued to progress. Six applications of sterile larvae (maggots) of the common greenbottle, Lucilia sericata, were used to debride the wound successfully.
Wilmink JM, Nederbragt H, van Weeren PR, Stolk PW, Barneveld A.The contribution of wound contraction to wound closure determines the speed of second intention wound healing and it has been shown that significant differences exist with regard to both contraction and inflammatory response between horses and ponies and between various areas of the body. In this study, the contraction capacity of fibroblasts from limbs and buttocks of 4 Dutch Warmblood horses and 4 Shetland ponies was studied in vitro, in order to determine whether differences in wound contraction are due to differences in the inherent contraction capacity of the fibroblasts or to differences...
Theoret CL, Barber SM, Moyana TN, Gordon JR.To map the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1), TGF-beta(3), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in full-thickness skin wounds of the horse. To determine whether their expression differs between limbs and thorax, to understand the pathogenesis of exuberant granulation tissue. Methods: Six wounds were created on one lateral metacarpal area and one midthoracic area of each horse. Sequential wound biopsies allowed comparison of the temporal expression of growth factors between limb and thoracic wounds. Methods: Four 2- to 4-year-old horses. Methods: Wounds were assessed g...
Chan CC, Murphy H, Munroe GA.A modified open annular ligament desmotomy followed by passive open drainage was used to treat 12 horses with chronic digital septic tenosynovitis due to trauma in the form of open wounds or self-sealing punctures. The surgical approach included complete transection of the palmar/plantar annular ligament of the fetlock and proximal digital annular ligament, which facilitated the removal of fibrin, selective debridement and synovectomy, followed by lavage of the digital sheath. The incision was partially closed leaving a 2 cm gap open distally to allow for passive open drainage. Gentamicin was ...
Byrne KM, Vierck J, Dodson MV.Equine satellite cells are responsible for muscle healing and regeneration in the mature horse. We describe the in vitro cell culture conditions required for clonal populations of equine satellite cells to undergo both proliferation and differentiation. Our hypothesis is that these in vitro conditions model regeneration of muscle and can be used to evaluate potential therapeutics. In this study, 2 areas of satellite cell response were tested: proliferation of clones induced by growth factors, and fusion induced by culture conditions. Equine satellite cell clones showed differences in their res...
Burling K, Seguin MA, Marsh P, Brinkman K, Madigan J, Thurmond M, Moon-Massat P, Mannis M, Murphy CJ.OBJECTIVE-To characterize healing of corneal epithelial defects in horses and to evaluate the ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to modulate rate of corneal epithelial healing in horses. Methods: 20 eyes in 12 adult horses. Methods: Corneal epithelial wounds were created by mechanically debriding the limbus. Corneal healing was recorded for 3 treatment groups: 50 microg of EGF/ml (n = 5 eyes), 5 microg of EGF/ml (7), and PBS solution (8). Corneal healing was recorded once daily after instillation of fluorescein stain by use of photography and calculating the area of the wound, using imag...
Wilmink JM, Stolk PW, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.Second-intention healing of limb wounds in horses is often problematic. Solcoseryl is a protein-free, standardized dialysate/ultrafiltrate (HD) derived from calf blood, which has been shown to improve healing in both animals and humans. The efficacy of HD in the healing of deep wounds in horses and ponies was investigated. Deep wounds of 20 by 35 mm were created on both metatarsi (skin, subcutis, periosteum) and on both femoral biceps muscles (skin, subcutis, muscle) of five horses and five ponies. The wounds on one side were treated with HD, four times a week during the period that the wounds...
Worster AA, Lillich JD, Cox JH, Rush BR.A 9-year-old pregnant mare was referred for evaluation of a nonhealing wound of 8 weeks' duration on the lateral aspect of the left forelimb. A soft tissue mass encircled the proximal two thirds of the metacarpus; radiography revealed a moderate periosteal reaction affecting metacarpal bone i.v. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations revealed eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation and Pythium sp in the soft tissues. The mare was treated for 12 days with antimicrobials, medicated wound dressings, debridement, and i.v. administration of sodium iodide; radiography revealed progression o...
Noll CV, Kilcoyne I, Nieto JE, Thio T, Byrne BA.To determine the ability of 0.2% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)-impregnated gauze to inhibit the growth of bacteria isolated from equine infected sites. Methods: In vitro study. Methods: Nine bacterial isolates were obtained from cultures submitted from equine patients presenting with penetrating injuries of the hoof (n = 4), septic osteitis (n = 1), synovial sepsis (n = 1), wounds (n = 2), and incisional infection following laparotomy (n = 1). Two standardized strains were also included. A standard inoculum of each isolate was placed on 12 Muller-Hinton agar plates. Squares (2.5 cm ×â€...
Engelen M, Besche B, Lefay MP, Hare J, Vlaminck K.The objective of this multicentre, randomized, controlled field study was to determine the efficacy of ketanserin gel in preventing exuberant granulation tissue formation (hypergranulation) and infection in equine lower limb wounds. Horses and ponies (n = 481) with naturally occurring wounds were randomized to either topical treatment with ketanserin gel (n = 242) or a positive control (Belgium, Germany: ethacridin lactate solution, n = 120; France, United Kingdom: malic, benzoic, and salicylic acid [MBS] cream, n = 119). Treatment continued until the wound healed (success), formed hypergranul...
Eggleston RB.Successful management of equine wounds relies on knowledge of the stages of wound healing, factors that can alter those stages, how healing stages can be manipulated, and adherence to the principles of wound healing. Challenges that complicate wound management include the inability to immobilize and/or confine equine patients, and maintain a clean environment during the critical initial stages of healing. Because of these challenges, the equine practitioner relies heavily on bandaging and external coaptation techniques to successfully treat and manage wounds. The type of bandage used is dictat...
Madison JB, Hamir AN, Ehrlich HP, Haberman J, Topkis V, Villasin JV.Full-thickness skin wounds were created on the dorsum of both metacarpi in 8 horses. Three topical treatment regimens were studied. All wounds were bandaged with a nonadherent dressing, which was held in place with a snug elastic wrap. Group-A wounds were treated with a proprietary topical wound medication that consisted of a spray and an ointment. Group-B wounds were treated with the same regimen, except the putative active ingredients in the ointment were omitted. Group-C wounds were treated with a dry nonadherent bandage only. Wound dressings were changed every day and the limbs were photog...
Bristol DG.Although most equine wounds can be easily treated and heal without consequence, there are many that present special challenges. Skin grafts area valuable part of the veterinarian's armamentarium for treatment of complicated wounds, particularly limb wounds. Attention to preparation of the recipient site and proper aftercare are critical to successful grafting. With better understanding of equine wound and graft physiology and the promise foretold by advances in human skin grafting, the outcome of treatments of difficult equine wounds should continue to improve in the future.
Varasano V, Marruchella G, Petrizzi L.The healing of wounds located on the equine distal limbs can often be impaired, which can result in exuberant granulation tissue and its associated aesthetic alteration and functional failures. Although a number of therapies have been developed and assessed, the treatment of these wounds still presents challenges. This report describes the treatment of exuberant granulation tissue in a horse using an intra-lesional injection of 4% formaldehyde solution. The successful outcome of this treatment suggests that further investigations are required in order to better evaluate its efficacy, as well a...
Frankland AL.The skin grafting experiments were carried out on the cannon regions of horses to throw light on four matters relating to split skin transplantation. They were: The thickness of donor split skin that would provide good wound cover and still leave adequate tissue to permit uneventful healing at the donor site; whether split skin grafts were more readily accepted on fresh than on granulating wounds; the size of wounds that would benefit from grafting; and the maximum size of graft that would be readily accepted. The findings were: Split skin grafts 0.76 mm thickness gave the best results althoug...
Munsterman AS, Hanson RR.Bullet wounds in horses can cause a wide array of injuries, determined by the type of projectile, the energy of the bullet on entry, and the type of tissue the bullet encounters. Treatment includes identification of all structures involved, debridement of the permanent cavity, and establishing adequate drainage. Bullet wounds should be treated as contaminated, and broad-spectrum antibiotics, including those with an anaerobic spectrum, are indicated. Although musculoskeletal injuries resulting from gunshots are most common in horses, they carry a good prognosis for survival and return to functi...
Massoni S, Vlaminck LE, Cokelaere SM, Martens AM.An 18-month-old Belgian Warmblood mare was evaluated because it had injured the outer convex aspect of the left auricle. Second intention healing of the wound area caused tissue contracture, which resulted in the tip of the ear curling backward. By use of a technique involving undermining of the skin and a flap of granulation tissue on the medial aspect of the wound area and multiple incisions of the auricular cartilage, the curling was relieved and the ear regained a more normal shape. A skin graft was applied to cover the existing wound defect in an attempt to accelerate wound healing; therm...
Kalamanova A, Anderson BH, Cust AR, Fulton IC.There are several skin grafting methods described in the human and animal literature. Currently, there are five types of free grafts used in horses: pinch and punch grafts, split and full-thickness sheet or mesh grafts and tunnel grafts. Published methods of tunnel grafting describe the use of alligator forceps. The alligator forceps create a poor tunnel and are excessively traumatic to the granulation bed. This technique utilised a 13G Jamshidi needle that was placed across the granulation bed and created a uniform tunnel. The Jamshidi needle was atraumatic to the granulation bed increasing t...
Geiser DR, Walker RD.The pathophysiology and histopathology of thermal burns in large animals is very similar to that in humans. Burns are classified as first degree, superficial and deep second degree, third degree, and fourth degree, depending upon the depth of thermal injury. Most severe burns will produce a local and a systemic response--both of which must be properly treated to increase the patient's chances for survival. The systemic response is mainly characterized by hypovolemia, fluid and electrolyte loss, protein loss, pulmonary edema, increased caloric requirements, and depressed immune responses. The l...
Chevalier JM, Pearson GB.The objective of this study was to report clinical outcomes of horses with naturally occurring full-thickness skin lacerations treated with an amorphous silicate dressing. We hypothesized that wounds treated with an amorphous silicate dressing would have minimal complications and lesion resolution without formation of exuberant granulation tissue. 11 client-owned horses. Clinical records of 11 horses with distal limb wounds treated with an amorphous silicate dressing were collected from participating veterinarians across the US. Wound healing progression was monitored by the veterinarian and o...
Dedar RK, Kumar N, Narnaware SD, Tripathi BN.Wound healing in horses is complicated by the excessive growth of granulation tissue, commonly known as proud flesh and is similar to keloids in human beings. At present, there is no satisfactory treatment for proud flesh in horses. In this study, we, for the first time, demonstrated that leaf extract of Aerva javanica suppresses excessive growth of granulation tissue in horses. Many plant flavonoids are claimed to have antiproliferative properties. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid containing 3-hydroxy flavone backbone found in many plants in its aglycone form and attached with various sugars...
Brock AK, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, Howard EA, Huntzinger KD, Lawhon SD, Bryan LK, Cosgriff-Hernandez EM, Cohen ND, Whitfield-Cargile CM.To compare: (1) the load and diversity of cultivatable bacterial species isolated from tissue biopsies with cultures from surface swabs, and (2) the ability of each technique to detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a model of MRSA-infected equine wounds. Methods: Experimental in vivo study. Methods: Three light-breed adult horses. Methods: Four 2.5 × 2.5 cm full-thickness skin wounds were created on the dorsolateral aspect of each forelimb. Five days later, each wound was inoculated with a pure culture of MRSA (ATCC 43300). One hundred microlitres of 0, 5 × 1...
J Rgensen E, Hjerpe FB, Hougen HP, Bjarnsholt T, Berg LC, Jacobsen S.To evaluate histologic changes and gene expression patterns in body and limb wounds in horses in response to bacterial inoculation. Methods: Wound biopsy specimens from 6 horses collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 27 after excisional wounds (20 wounds/horse) were created over the metacarpal and metatarsal region and lateral thoracic region (body) and then inoculated or not inoculated on day 4 with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Specimens were histologically scored for the amount of inflammation, edema, angiogenesis, fibrosis organization, and epithelialization. Quantit...
Madison JB, Gronwall RR.Three sets of paired circular and square full-thickness skin wounds were made on the dorsum of the metacarpus (n = 48) of 8 horses. Each wound was 6.25 cm2 in area. The wounds were treated topically with an ointment, nonadherent dressing, and bandaged with a snug elastic wrap. Wounds were photographed every other day until healing was complete. Wound areas were measured and exponential and linear wound healing models were applied to the wound healing data generated. Wound healing variables measured for each wound were: number of days to healing, maximal size attained, rate of wound contraction...
Farstvedt EG, Hendrickson DA, Dickenson CE, Spier SJ.Two horses were examined for large head wounds suspected to be the result of trauma and characterized by extensive necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, with abundant purulent exudate. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated from the facial wounds in both horses. Histopathologic examination revealed severe suppurative cellulitis and panniculitis with fistulous tracts and granulation tissue in 1 horse. Both horses were treated with local wound care, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and administration of antimicrobials. The concept of moist wound care was used in the second ...
Labens R, Blikslager A.Methods of 3D wound imaging in man play an important role in monitoring of healing and determination of the prognosis. Standard photographic assessments in equine wound management consist of 2D analyses, which provide little quantitative information on the wound bed. Objective: 3D imaging of equine wounds is feasible using principles of stereophotogrammetry. 3D measurements differ significantly and are more precise than results with standard 2D assessments. Methods: Repeated specialised photographic imaging of 4 clinical wounds left to heal by second intention was performed. The intraoperator ...
Goodrich LR, Moll HD, Crisman MV, Lessard P, Bigbie RB.To evaluate healing of pinch-grafted wounds on the distal aspect of the limbs of ponies bandaged with equine amnion or a standard nonadherent wound dressing material. Methods: 6 ponies. Methods: A 2.5x2.5-cm full-thickness section of skin was removed from the dorsal aspect of each limb at the midpoint of the metacarpus or metatarsus. Six days later, wounds were grafted with partial-thickness pinch grafts. Half the wounds were bandaged with amnion, and the other half were bandaged with a nonadherent dressing. Bandages were changed every 3 days until wound healing was complete. At each bandage c...
Boss CK, Gibson DJ, Schultz G, Whitley RD, Hernandez JA, Abbott JR, Plummer CE.To investigate the therapeutic effects of topical equine amniotic membrane (eAM) suspension following corneal wounding in a controlled experimental setting. Methods: Equine amniotic membrane was collected, gamma irradiated, homogenized for topical suspension preparation, and cryopreserved. Corneoscleral rims harvested from fresh rabbit globes were wounded via keratectomy and were maintained in an air-liquid interface ex vivo corneal culture model. Treatment groups included topical gamma irradiated eAM suspension (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Re-epithelialization of the wound was a...
Rahman AZA, Adzahan NM, Zakaria Z, Mayaki AM.Horse wounds can be easily infected with bacteria depending on the nature of its cause such as laceration, abrasion, or puncture as well as the nature of its environment. Various treatments are available in managing open wounds, including the usage of topical antibiotics and antiseptics. However, antibiotic resistance has been a major concern attributed with chronic wound infection. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of ionized water at different pH against the growth of common bacteria from horse wounds. Methods: Ten swab samples from equine infected wounds were collected and bact...
De Martin I, Theoret CL.To describe immunolocalization of TGF-beta receptors (RI and RII) in normal equine skin and in thoracic or limb wounds, healing normally or with exuberant granulation tissue (EGT). Methods: Group A: six wounds on one metacarpus and one midthoracic area. Group B: six wounds on both metacarpi, one of which was bandaged to stimulate EGT. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect RI and RII expression in wound margins. Methods: Eight horses, randomly assigned to one of two study groups. Methods: Neutralizing polyclonal anti-rabbit RI and RII antibodies were used to detect spatial expression of RI an...
Dinev D, Dzhurov A.An experiment in comparative developmental aspect was carried out with 5 horses and 5 cattle having a total of 60 skin and muscular wounds. Light microscopic studies on hematoxylin-eosin stained preparations revealed that the dystrophic changes in the underlying tissues were more strongly manifested in horses. This had to be taken into consideration in the surgical treatment of wounds with this animal species. The basic differences comprised the better manifested leukocytic reaction in horses and the more strongly expressed processes of growth and differentiation on the part of the connective ...
Mund SJK, Corbett C, MacPhee DJ, Campbell J, Honaramooz A, Wobeser B, Barber SM.Horses often sustain cutaneous wounds and healing can be prolonged and difficult to treat. Compared to body wounds, limb wounds heal slower and are more likely to develop exuberant granulation tissue. Differences in healing rates and exuberant granulation tissue formation is attributed to abnormal cytokine profiles. CXCL8 and its receptor CXCR2 are involved in acute inflammation whereas CXCL10 and its receptor CXCR3 are involved in inflammation resolution. β- arrestin-2 regulates inflammation through internalization of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) including CXCR2 and CXCR3. Gene expres...
Lindsay WA.Three clinical cases are presented to illustrate some of the problems that may complicate the treatment of wounds in horses. The three examples are a lower limb laceration, a chronic draining chest wound, and complications associated with a fiberglass cast. The use of ancillary diagnostic aids such as arthrocentesis, diagnostic nerve blocks, radiographs, and ultrasonography are indicated to assess change to deeper structures.
Gomez-Villamandos RJ, Santisteban Valenzuela JM, Ruiz Calatrava I, Gomez-Villamandos JC, Avila Jurado I.A study was made of the effects of low-level laser irradiation on the cicatrization of superficial wounds in the pharyngeal mucosa of the horse. Methods: Duplicate pharyngeal mucosal ulcers were induced in 12 Spanish horses with submucosal injection of sulfuric acid. A fibroendoscope and an He-Ne laser were used to treat one of the ulcers and the second ulcer in each animal was left untreated, serving as a control. Biopsy samples for the histological study were taken after the seventh laser therapy session from the two animals. Results: Irradiated lesions cicatrized at 10.5 days and nonirradia...
Cantatore F, Pagliara E, Marcatili M, Bertuglia A.Obtaining a healthy wound environment that is conductive to healing in horses can be challenging. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been employed in humans to enhance wound healing for decades. The existing evidence for the effectiveness of NPWT remains uncertain in equine medicine. The aim of this review is to investigate NPWT applications and benefits in horses. A scoping review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for scoping reviews on three databases (PubMed, Web of Science-Thompson Reuters, and Wiley...
Norman TE, Chaffin MK, Johnson MC, Spangler EA, Weeks BR, Knight R.Five horses were evaluated because of severe cutaneous burn injuries following a barn fire. Gross hemolysis and morphologic changes in RBCs consistent with oxidative damage were detected in all of the horses. Of these horses, 4 became azotemic. The overall goals of treatment included wound care, correction of dehydration and provision of diuresis, control of inflammation, pain management, and prophylaxis against sepsis. After treatment, 2 horses survived and were discharged from the hospital. Red blood cell damage and hemolysis following cutaneous burn injury have been investigated in other sp...
