The effectiveness of the haemodialysate Solcoseryl (R) for second-intention wound healing in horses and ponies

Second-intention healing of limb wounds in horses is often problematic. Sol coseryl(R) is a protein-free, standardized dialysate/ultrafiltrate (HD) der ived from calf blood, which has been shown to improve healing in both anima ls and humans. The efficacy of HD in the healing of deep wounds in horses a nd 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 wou nds were bandaged and once daily thereafter. The wounds on the other side w ere left untreated. In the first 4 weeks of the healing period HD stimulate d healing but inhibited healing thereafter. This pattern was significant fo r all wound groups (P < 0.001). Because of this change in effect, the overa ll effect oil wound healing over the entire period was not significant (P = 0.77). HD stimulated healing initially by provoking a greater initial infl ammatory response, faster contraction and faster formation of granulation t issue. Subsequently, HD inhibited healing because it significantly delayed epithelialization and caused protracted inflammation. The effects of HD wer e most pronounced in the horses. Because this study distinguished between c ontraction and epithelialization, it could be shown that HD stimulated cont raction but inhibited epithelialization. Therefore, HD is useful in horses for the treatment of deep wounds during the initial phase of healing by sec ond intention, i.e. during the first weeks when wound contraction can be ex pected. Treatment should be ceased when epithelialization becomes predomina nt.