Randomised controlled trial of the treatment of pastern dermatitis with a formulation containing kunzea oil.

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an ointment containing kunzea oil, a plant-based substance, in treating localized acute or chronic pastern dermatitis, a skin condition in horses. The results showed a significant decrease in the total area of lesions among horses treated with kunzea oil compared to those treated with ketoconazole ointment.

Methodology

• The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial involving 37 horses suffering from localized acute or chronic pastern dermatitis.
• The horses were randomly placed in two groups, each receiving different treatments: an ointment containing 20 per cent kunzea oil (test group) or one containing 2 per cent ketoconazole (control group).
• The severity of the lesions was assessed before the treatment started and after seven days of treatment.
• Throughout the study, only 21 out of the initial 37 horses completed the treatment regimen.

Outcomes

• The application of kunzea oil ointment resulted in a significant reduction in the median total area of the lesions. Specifically, the lesion size reduced from 40 cm(2) (range 3 to 252 cm(2)) to 0 cm(2) (range 0 to 34 cm(2)).
• We observed complete resolution of the signs of pastern dermatitis in 7 out of the 11 cases in the test group.
• On the other hand, the control group treated with the 2 per cent ketoconazole ointment didn’t register a significant reduction in the total area of the lesions. Complete resolution of the signs of pastern dermatitis only occurred in 2 out of 10 cases.

Conclusion

• The research concluded that the ointment containing kunzea oil was effective in treating localized acute or chronic pastern dermatitis.
• Kunzea oil demonstrated a higher success rate in terms of reducing lesion size and complete resolution of pastern dermatitis symptoms when compared to the ketoconazole treatment.