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Differences in second-intention wound healing between horses and ponies: macroscopic aspects.
Abstract: Second-intention healing of deep wounds was studied in 5 horses and 5 ponies. Standardised wounds were created on the distal limbs and hind quarters. Wounds on the metatarsi extended onto the metatarsal bone; the depth of the wounds in the femoral biceps muscle was 18 mm. The wound margins were marked by tattoos. Photographs were taken at weekly intervals to determine the wound area. The relative contribution of contraction and epithelialisation to wound closure was quantified by means of the tattoos. Swelling of the limbs was measured; and regularity and aspect of the granulation tissue were semi-quantitatively scored. Second-intention wound healing occurred significantly faster in ponies than in horses, and muscle wounds healed significantly faster than metatarsal wounds. These marked differences reflected the greater contribution of contraction to wound healing. Moreover, demarcation was seen earlier and a healthy granulation bed developed more rapidly in ponies, whereas in horses the granulation tissue remained irregular and purulent for longer. Healing of the metatarsal wounds of horses differed markedly from that of all other wounds: these wounds increased to almost twice their original size in the first 2 weeks, exuberant granulation tissue was persistent, epithelialisation started later, and contraction played a minor role in wound closure. Limb swelling was greater in horses than in ponies. Periosteal new bone formation was more extensive, and was active over a longer period in the metatarsal bones of horses than of ponies. From this study it is concluded that second-intention healing of deep wounds occurs faster in ponies than in horses. This difference can be largely attributed to a more pronounced and faster wound contraction in ponies than in horses. Therefore, attempts to improve second-intention wound healing in clinical practice should be directed at stimulation of wound contraction.
Publication Date: 1999-02-10 PubMed ID: 9952330DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03791.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study investigates the differences in healing of deep wounds in horses and ponies. The findings indicate a notably faster second-intention wound repair process in ponies than in horses, largely due to a more significant and quicker wound contraction in ponies.
Research Methodology
- The study followed the second-intention healing of deep wounds in 5 horses and 5 ponies.
- Standardized wounds were created on both animals’ distal limbs and hindquarters. Wounds on the metatarsi extended to the metatarsal bone and the depth of the wounds in the femoral biceps muscle was around 18 mm.
- The wounds’ boundaries were identified with tattoos, and photographs were taken at weekly intervals to monitor the wound area.
- The amount that contraction and epithelialization contributed to wound closure was quantified using the tattoos.
Key Findings
- Wound healing occurred significantly faster in ponies than in horses, and the muscle wounds healed quicker than the metatarsal wounds.
- This difference was largely due to the higher contribution of contraction to the wound healing process.
- Ponies’ wounds also showed signs of demarcation earlier than horses’ wounds and a healthier granulation bed developed faster in ponies.
- On the other hand, in horses, the granulation tissue remained irregular and purulent for a longer time.
- Specially, the metatarsal wounds in horses differed greatly from all other wounds as they increased to nearly double their original size in the first two weeks. Also, these wounds exhibited persistent exuberant granulation tissue, delayed start of epithelialization and less significant role of contraction in wound closure.
- Additionally, swelling in the limbs was found to be higher in the horses than in the ponies.
- Periosteal new bone formation was more extensive and active in the metatarsal bones of the horses, in comparison to the ponies.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that second-intention wound healing happens faster in ponies than in horses due to a more pronounced and quicker wound contraction in ponies.
- This finding provides a valuable insight for the veterinary practice suggesting that stimulating wound contraction could potentially improve the effectiveness of second-intention wound healing treatments.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilmink JM, Stolk PW, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.
(1999).
Differences in second-intention wound healing between horses and ponies: macroscopic aspects.
Equine Vet J, 31(1), 53-60.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03791.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Regeneration
- Exudates and Transudates / metabolism
- Granulation Tissue / growth & development
- Horses / injuries
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Metatarsal Bones / injuries
- Metatarsal Bones / physiology
- Metatarsus / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsus / injuries
- Metatarsus / physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal / injuries
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Radiography
- Tattooing / veterinary
- Wound Healing
Citations
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