Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.1865

The effect of medical honey on second intention wound healing in dogs

Barbara Lukanc ; University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Small Animal Clinic, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tončka Šteh ; University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Clinic for Reproduction, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Vladimira Erjavec orcid.org/0000-0003-4739-7474 ; University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Small Animal Clinic, Ljubljana, Slovenia *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The aim of our retrospective study was to observe the healing effect of medical honey on wounds in dogs. Honey debrides wounds, kills bacteria, lowers the pH value of wounds, reduces chronic inflammation, promotes the infiltration of fibroblasts and provides a moist environment, which is essential for wound healing. Twenty dogs with a total of 21 contaminated nonsurgical wounds were included. Wounds were treated with medical honey and left to heal by second intention. For the prevention of wound desiccation and bandage adherence, a low-adherent absorbent pad was used. The wounds smaller than 15 cm2 healed in 28 to 49 days (mean 36.4±7.9 days), and wounds larger than 15 cm2 healed in 35 to 77 days (mean 50.3±15.9 days). A low-adherent absorbent pad completely prevented adherence of the dressing to the wound bed, so that no pain or tissue damage occurred during dressing changing. The treatment of wounds with medical honey had a positive influence on wound healing, and all wounds in our study healed completely with minimal scarring and with regrowth of hair. Ten dogs received no antibiotic therapy and none of them developed wound infection. Medical honey therefore serves as a promising alternative antimicrobial chemotherapeutic. The use of honey is effective in tissue regeneration and wound healing in large wounds in dogs where surgery alone cannot guarantee satisfactory results.

Keywords

dogs; medical honey; nonsurgical contaminated wounds; second intention wound healing

Hrčak ID:

314168

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/314168

Publication date:

25.10.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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