Analyze Diet
Veterinary dermatology1997; 8(4); 273-290; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.1997.tb00273.x

Equine wound management: are there significant differences in healing at different sites on the body?

Abstract: Abstract  Trunk/body wounds heal rapidly with prominent Contraction while wounds on the limb commonly fail to heal or heal slowly by centripetal epithelialization. often with insignificant contraction. Chronic exuberant granulating wounds on the limbs heal well after grafting from donor sites on the trunk. Indolent wounds are less common but may granulate significantly following moist wound-healing management. Sarcoid transformation is an increasingly important cause of healing failure. Sarcoid transformations on the trunk are commonly verrucose while those on the limb are usually aggressive and fibroblastic. The primary objective of wound management should be to encourage rapid progression from acute inflammation to repair without intervention of chronic inflammation which is a significant factor in the pathophysiology of wound healing failure. Wounds fail to heal because there is disruption of the normal delicate balance of growth factors and inflammatory mediators. Wounds should be managed in such a way as to restore the balance of healing processes without damaging any of the cells involved in healing. Resumen  Las heridas localizadas en el cuerpo o tronco curan rapidamente con contracción elevada, mientras que las de las extremidades no curan o curan lentamente por epitelización centrípeta, a menudo con contracción insignificante. Las heridas crónicas con tejido de granulación exhuberantes en las extremidades curan bien después de injertos a partir de áreas del tronco. Las heridas indolentes son menos frecuentes pero pueden granular significativamente después de un manejo húmedo de la curacion de la herida. La transformación sarcoidal es una causa cada vez más frecuente de fracaso de la curación. Las transformaciones sarcoidales en el tronco son generalmente de tipo verrucoso mientras que las de las extremidades son normalmente agresivas y fibroblásticas. El objetivo principal del manejo de heridas tendría que ser la estimulación de una progresión rápida de una inflamación aguda a la resolución sin intervención de inflamación crónica, que es un factor significativo en la patofisiología del fracaso en la curación de heridas. Las heridas no curan porque se produce una alteración en el fraegil equilibrio normal de factores de crecimiento y mediadores inflamatorios. Las heridas tendrian que ser manejadas de forma que se restaure el equilibrio del proceso curativo sin dañar ninguna de las células implicadas en la curacion. [Knottenbelt, D.C. Equine wound management: are there significant differences in healing at different sites on the body? (Manejo de heridas equinas: existen diferencias significativas en la curación en diferentes areas cutaneas?). Veterinar.): Dermatology 1997; 8: 273-290] Zusammenfassung  Wunden am Rumpf heilen schnell und mit deutlicher Kontraktion, während sich Wunden an den Gliedmassen oft nur geringfügig zusammenziehen und entweder gar nicht oder nur langsam vom Rande her epithelisieren. Chronische, stark wuchernde Wunden an den Gliedmassen heilen nach Gewebetransplantation vom Rumpf zufriedenstellend. Indolente Wunden sind weniger häfig, können aber nach benetzender Wundversorgung deutlich granulieren. Sarkoide Transformation ist ein wichtiger Grund für Wundheilungstörungen. Sarkoide Transformationen am Rumpf sind gewöhnlich warzig, jene an den Gliedmassen üblicherweise aggressiv und fibroblastisch. Das wichtigste Ziel der Wundversorgung sollte es sein, eine schnelle Entwicklung von akuter Entzündung zur Heilung zu fördern, ohne in die chronische Entzündung einzugreifen, die ein massgeblicher Faktor in der Störung der Windheilung darstellt. Der Grund für eine nichtheilende Wunde ist eine Störung des enipfindlichen Gleichgewichts zwischen Wachstumsfaktoren und Entzündungsmediatoren. Wundversorgung soll das Gleichgewicht des Heilungsprozesses wiederherstellen, ohne Zellen zu beschädigen, die zur Wundheilung beitragen. [Knottenbelt, D.C. Equine wound management: are there significant differences in healing at different sites on the body? (Wundversorgung beim Pferd: Sind signifikante Heilungsunterschiede an verschiedenen Körperstellen vorhanden?). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 273-290] Résumé  Les plaies affectant le tronc cicatrisent rapidement avec une contraction proéminente tandis que les plaies des membres cicatrisent ma1 ou lentement avec une épithélialisation centripète, et souvent avec une contraction insignifiante. Les plaies présentant une granulation chronique exhubérante sur les membres cicatrisent bien après greffe à partir d'un fragment prélevé sur le tronc. Les plaies atones sonl moins fréquentes, mais peuvent présenter un tissu de granulation significatif après application de pansements humides. La transformation en sarcoïde est une cause de plus en plus importante d'échec de cicatrisation. Les transformations en sarcoïdes sur le tronc sont fréquemment verruqueuses, alors que celles localisées sur les membres sont généralement agressives et fibroblastiques. Le but premier du traitement d'une plaie est de promouvoir la progression rapide d'une inflammation aigüe en cicatrisation sans passage par l'inflammation chronique qui est un facteur significatif dans la pathophysiologie de l'échec de cicatrisation des plaies. Les plaies ne cicatrisent pas parce qu'il y a un déséquilibre de la balance délicate entre facteurs de croissance et médiateurs de l'inflammation. Les plaies doivent être traitées de manière à restaurer l'équilibre des processus de cicatrisation sans altération des cellules impliquées dans l'inflammation. [Knottenbelt, D.C. Equine wound management: are there significant differences in healing at different sites on the body? (Traitement des plaies équines: y-a-t-il des différences significatives de cicatrisation en fonction de la topographie corporelle?). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 273-290].
Publication Date: 1997-12-01 PubMed ID: 34645017DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.1997.tb00273.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.
  • 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 research article investigates the differences in healing of wounds on different parts of a horse’s body, emphasizing the impact of location and methods of wound management on healing speed and effectiveness.

Healing Differences in Different Body Sites

  • The article reveals that wounds found on the trunk or body of the horse tend to heal quickly due to substantial contraction, while wounds on the limbs heal slower or might fail to recover entirely.
  • It sites the method of healing in limb wounds as “centripetal epithelialization”, which often results in minimal contraction.
  • Chronic wounds with excessive granulation tissue on the limbs tend to recover well after grafting tissue from the trunk.

Common Wound Complications

  • There are less frequent instances of “indolent” or slow healing wounds, but they may also develop significant granulation following a moist wound-healing management.
  • Moreover, it points out the problem of sarcoid transformation as a reason for wound healing failure. This transformation presents differently depending on the location of the wound: on the trunk, it’s typically warty (verrucose), while on the limbs it’s often aggressive and fibroblastic.

Objective of Wound Management

  • The primary goal of wound treatment should be to stimulate a quick transition from acute inflammation to healing stages, avoiding the intervention of chronic inflammation, which is a significant factor causing wound healing failure.
  • Wounds don’t heal when there’s a disruption of the fragile balance between growth factors and inflammatory mediators, crucial elements needed for the healing process.

Best Practices in Wound Management

  • As part of a suitable wound management plan, wounds should be treated in a way that restores the balance of the healing process, without damaging the cells involved in healing.
  • Appropriate wounds management can help avoid complications, reduce recovery period and improve the quality of life for the horse.

Cite This Article

APA
Knottenbelt DC. (1997). Equine wound management: are there significant differences in healing at different sites on the body? Vet Dermatol, 8(4), 273-290. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.1997.tb00273.x

Publication

ISSN: 1365-3164
NlmUniqueID: 9426187
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 4
Pages: 273-290

Researcher Affiliations

Knottenbelt, Derek C
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral L64 7TE, UK.

References

This article includes 27 references
  1. Britton JW. Wound management in horses.. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1910; 157: 1585-1589.
  2. Jacobs KA, Leach DH, Fretz PB, Levin RI, Mosher DF. Comparative aspects of the healing of excisional wounds on the leg and body of horses.. Veterinary Surgery 1984; 13: 83-85.
  3. Bertone AL. Management of exuberant granulation tissue.. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice 1989; 5: 551-562.
  4. Bertone AL. Principles of wound healing.. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice 1989; 5: 449-463.
  5. Stashak TS. Equine Wound Management.. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia , USA , 1991.
  6. Cochrane C. An investigation into equine wound healing and sarcoid formation.. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool 1996.
  7. Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL. Inflammation and repair.. Robbin's Pathologic Basis of Disease Philadelphia USA : W.B. Saunders, 1994 pp. 90.
  8. Dvorak HF. Tumors: wounds that do not heal. Similarities between tumor stroma generation and wound healing.. New England Journal of Medicine 1986; 315: 1650-1659.
  9. Shah M, Forman DM, Ferguson MWJ. Control of scarring in adult wounds by neutralising antibody to TGFβ.. Lancet 1992; 339: 213-214.
  10. Haddow A. Molecular repair, wound healing and carcinogenesis: tumor production a possible overhealing?. Advances in Cancer Research 1912; 16: 181-234.
  11. Knottenbelt DC, Walker JA. The diagnosis and treatment of the equine sarcoid.. Equine Veterinary Education 1993; 6: 72-75.
  12. Knottenbelt, D.C., Pascoe, R.R. In: Colour Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of the Horse. London : Mosby Wolfe, 1994.
  13. Knottenbelt DC, Edwards SER, Daniel EA. Diagnosis and treatment of the equine sarcoid.. In Practice 1995; 17: 123-129.
  14. Dyson M. Advances in wound healing physiology: the comparative perspective.. Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 283-289.
  15. Suter MM, Crameri FM, Olivry T, Mueller E, von Tscharner C, Jensen PJ. Keratinocyte biology and pathology.. Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 67-100.
  16. Falanga V, Moosa HH, Nemeth AJ, Alstadt S, Eaglestein WH. Dermal pericapillary fibrin in venous disease and venous ulceration.. Archives of Dermatology 1992; 123: 620-623.
  17. Phillips TJ. Initial management of equine wounds: Part II.. Equine Veterinary Education 1995; 7: 193-198.
  18. Herd RP, Donham JC. Efficacy of ivermectin against Draschia and Habronema infection (summer sores) in horses.. Americun Journal of Veterinary Research 1981; 42: 1953-1955.
  19. Fretz PB, Martin GS, Jacobs KA, McIlwraith CW. Treatment of exuberant granulation tissue in the horse. Evaluation of four methods.. Veterinury Surgery 1983; 12: 137-140.
  20. Falanga V. Chronic wounds: pathophysiologic and experimental considerations.. Progress in Dermatology Illinois , USA : Dermatology Foundation. 1993: 721-725.
  21. Beech J. Tumors of the Pituitary Gland (Pars Intermedia).. In: Current Therapy in Equine Medicine. Robinson, N.E., ed. Philadelphia USA : W. B. Saunders, 1987: 182-185.
  22. Phillips TJ. Initial management of equine wounds; Part II.. Equine Veterinary Education 1995; 7: 193-198.
  23. Desmonliere A. Factors influencing myofibroblast differentiation during wound-healing and fibrosis.. Cell Biology International 1995; 19: 471-476.
  24. Bertone AL, Sullins KE, Stashak TS, Norrdin RW. Effect of wound location and the use of topical collagen gel on exuberant granulation tissue formation and wound healing in the horse and pony.. American Journal of Veterinary Research 1985; 46: 1438-1444.
  25. Ehrlich PH, Grislis G, Hunt TK. Evidence for the involvement of microtubules in wound contracture.. American Journal of Surgery 1977; 133: 706.
  26. Tsai CY, Hata K, Torii SH, Matsuyama M, Ueda M. Contraction potency of hypertrophic scar derived fibroblasts in a connective tissue model in vitro analysis of wound contraction.. Annals of Plastic Surgery 1995; 35: 6.
  27. Majno G, Gabbiani G, Hirschel BJ, Ryan GB, Stakov PR. Contraction of granulation tissue in vitro: similarity to smooth muscle.. Science 1971; 173: 548-550.

Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Partusch L, Rutland CS, Martens A, Du Cheyne C, De Spiegelaere W, Michler JK. Collagen composition in equine exuberant granulation tissue reflects tissue immaturity. PLoS One 2025;20(11):e0335179.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0335179pubmed: 41196884google scholar: lookup
  2. Campebell RC, Oliveira AB, Fagundes JLA, Fortes BNA, Veado HC, Macedo IL, Dallago BSL, Barud HS, Adorno J, Salvador PAV, Santos PS, Castro MB. Evaluation of Bacterial Cellulose/Alginate-Based Hydrogel and Frog Skin Dressings in Equine Skin Wound Healing. Gels 2025 Feb 3;11(2).
    doi: 10.3390/gels11020107pubmed: 39996650google scholar: lookup
  3. Afonso AC, Sousa M, Pinto AR, Cotovio M, Simões M, Saavedra MJ. Biofilm Production by Critical Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens from an Equine Wound. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 13;13(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13081342pubmed: 37106905google scholar: lookup
  4. Helal IE, Al-Abbadi HA, El-Daharawy MH, Ahmed MF. Enhancement of chronic wound healing with maltodextrin/ascorbic acid gel: a clinical evaluation of distal limb wounds in horses. J Anim Sci Technol 2022 Sep;64(5):997-1007.
    doi: 10.5187/jast.2022.e52pubmed: 36287738google scholar: lookup
  5. Jørgensen E, Bjarnsholt T, Jacobsen S. Biofilm and Equine Limb Wounds. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 27;11(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11102825pubmed: 34679846google scholar: lookup
  6. Du Cheyne C, Martens A, De Spiegelaere W. High Numbers of CD163-Positive Macrophages in the Fibrotic Region of Exuberant Granulation Tissue in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 18;11(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11092728pubmed: 34573694google scholar: lookup
  7. Alkhilaiwi F, Wang L, Zhou D, Raudsepp T, Ghosh S, Paul S, Palechor-Ceron N, Brandt S, Luff J, Liu X, Schlegel R, Yuan H. Long-term expansion of primary equine keratinocytes that maintain the ability to differentiate into stratified epidermis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018 Jul 4;9(1):181.
    doi: 10.1186/s13287-018-0918-xpubmed: 29973296google scholar: lookup
  8. Miragliotta V, Ipiña Z, Lefebvre-Lavoie J, Lussier JG, Theoret CL. Equine CTNNB1 and PECAM1 nucleotide structure and expression analyses in an experimental model of normal and pathological wound repair. BMC Physiol 2008 Jan 31;8:1.
    doi: 10.1186/1472-6793-8-1pubmed: 18237399google scholar: lookup