Practical treatment of body and open leg wounds of horses with bovine collagen, biosynthetic wound dressing and cyanoacrylate

Abstract

Horses with severe and deep lacerations are represented by ten cases in which treatment emphasized the use of bovine collagen preparations to promote controlled second-degree repair. Traumatized areas were tarsal, metatarsal, neck, forearm, metacarpal and pastern. Wound size changes were recorded. Depending on the wound type, the site was treated with antibiotic-steroid ointment, organic acid cream, sterile collagen particles, suspension or dressings protected by hydrogel dressing, non-adherent pads, occlusive skin dressings, roll gauze and elastic tape. In three cases, a fiberglas cast was applied over a hind leg wound and lacerated tendon for stability. When controlled granulation of the deeper wounds reached skin level, the area often was stabilized by only cyanoacrylate spray. As these cases presented a wide range of trauma each with a unique history, healing rates were based on initial measurements. An overall progression of wound reduction occurred at a predictable rate. The exogenous collagen formulations were used to stimulate controlled granulation, ie. to “jump start” the healing process. Collagen particles, suspension or dressings were packed into depressions, placed under suture lines, secured over abraded tissue, and placed under protective bandage or cast. To further evaluate the use of cyanoacrylate tissue spray in wound treatments, an additional ten cases are presented. The variety of wounds were produced experimentally in Center-owned ponies or provided as clinical cases. Wound size changes and healing progress were recorded. Wounds occurred on the neck, abdomen, metacarpal, metatarsal, fetlock and pastern areas. Depending on wound type, the site was treated with cyanoacrylate only; or treated as above until controlled granulation attained skin level. In one case punch grafts of skin were transferred from one foreleg to the opposite with the horse standing. Cyanoacrylate spray provided a water proof barrier protecting the wound from dirt, debris and insects as well as stabilizing full-thickness skin lacerations by bridging normal to traumatized skin allowing uninterrupted granulation and epithelialization. The use of a neck cradle prevented wound disturbance and stall confinement aided stabilization.