| Abstract: | 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 were bandaged and once daily thereafter. The wounds on the other side were left untreated. In the first 4 weeks of the healing period HD stimulated healing but inhibited healing thereafter. This pattern was significant for all wound groups (P < 0.001). Because of this change in effect, the overall effect on wound healing over the entire period was not significant (P = 0.77). HD stimulated healing initially by provoking a greater initial inflammatory response, faster contraction and faster formation of granulation tissue. Subsequently, HD inhibited healing because it significantly delayed epithelialization and caused protracted inflammation. The effects of HD were most pronounced in the horses. Because this study distinguished between contraction and epithelialization, it could be shown that HD stimulated contraction but inhibited epithelialization. Therefore, HD is useful in horses for the treatment of deep wounds during the initial phase of healing by second intention, i.e. during the first weeks when wound contraction can be expected. Treatment should be ceased when epithelialization becomes predominant. |
