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The Effect of Short‐ and Long‐Term Treatment with Manuka Honey on Second Intention Healing of Contaminated and Noncontaminated Wounds on the Distal Aspect of the Forelimbs in Horses
Author(s) -
Bischofberger Andrea S.,
Dart Christina M.,
Perkins Nigel R.,
Kelly Ashley,
Jeffcott Leo,
Dart Andrew J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2012.01083.x
Subject(s) - manuka honey , medicine , wound healing , surgery , feces , food science , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Objectives To compare the effects of manuka honey and manuka honey gel on second intention healing of noncontaminated distal limb wounds and those contaminated with feces. Study Design Experimental study. Animals Standardbred horses (n = 10). Methods Five full‐thickness wounds (2 × 2 cm) were created on both metacarpi. Wounds on 1 forelimb were covered with horse feces for 24 hours. Wounds on the contralateral limb were left uncontaminated. Wounds were assigned to the following 5 different treatments: manuka honey, manuka honey gel or gel applied for 12 days, manuka honey gel applied throughout healing and untreated control. Wound area was measured on day 1 then weekly until day 42 and time to complete healing was recorded. Results Wounds treated with manuka honey gel throughout healing healed faster than all other wounds ( P < .05). Wounds treated with manuka honey and manuka honey gel for 12 days healed faster than gel control and untreated control wounds ( P < .05). Wounds treated with manuka honey and manuka honey gel for 12 days and throughout healing were smaller than gel control and untreated control wounds until day 35 ( P < .05). Wounds contaminated with feces had greater retraction for 7 days, but healed faster than noncontaminated wounds ( P < .05). Conclusions Treatment of wounds with manuka honey and manuka honey gel reduced wound retraction and overall healing time compared with gel and untreated control wounds.