Effect of topical application of mixture of cod liver oil and honey on old (chronic) wounds and granulation tissue in donkeys

A comparative study was conducted from November 2015 to May 2016 with the objective of investigating the beneficial effects of the mixture of cod liver oil and honey (group 1) comparing with routine treatment (group 2), combination of chlorhexidine (0.3%) and cetrimide (3%) in healing of contaminated old wounds in donkeys at Bahir Dar, North western Ethiopia. Out of 18 donkeys, 12 (6 male and 6 female) were treated with mixture of cod liver oil and honey and 6 donkeys (3 male and 3 female) were routinely treated. At the 35th day of treatment in group 1, the areas of the wounds were markedly decreased from 4.2% to 66.7% and in group 2 from 66.7% to 85.7% out of 100% of the initial area. The treatment outcome between group 1 and group 2 were significantly different (p<0.05).In group 1, no swelling and hyperemia of perilesional skin appearance, no inflammatory exudate, reduced wound area and short time to clinical healing of wound were recorded after treatment. This study also demonstrated that difference in wound healing process between sex groups, in which wound healing in male was significantly (p<0.05) faster than female. Mixture of cod liver oil and honey is beneficial in treatment of old traumatized wounds in the donkeys. This effect was primarily mediated by formation of healthy mature scars, clinical healing in short period of time. The owners, institutions or organization working with donkeys and governments may use this mixture for treating old traumatized wounds. Key words: Cod liver oil, donkey, healing, honey, wound.