Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Wound care of the horse’s distal part of the leg is challenging. Due to that distal limb wounds are easily enlarged, infected and generally heal slower than wounds on the body of the horse, the need for improved wound nursing arise. One way of improving wound nursing is to evaluate new ways of healing treatment. In this study, evaluation was made of a new product consisting of lactic acid bacteria and honey. Lactic acid bacteria and honey are both well-known in our natural environment, and evidence of their anti-microbial effects and wound healing function is studied and appreciated. From recent discoveries of the symbiotic relation between lactic acid bacteria and honey bee, some of honey’s antimicrobial secrets has been revealed, realizing that lactic acid bacteria naturally protects the bee, its nectar and honey from pathogens. Since the bacteria do not survive in mature honey, work has been done to select the relevant lactic acid bacteria and to purify honey separately, to be able to combine them again in a product with the favorable properties.

The study focused on how the product affects wound healing and nursing for pastern dermatitis and similar wounds. Three wounds on one horse were included. Before start, the wounds were visually judged, photographed and microbiology samples were taken. During the study, visual judgement was made before every treatment of the wounds with the product. Samples were taken at the same time and then evaluated in laboratory.

Results indicate that the nursing period can be decreased, improved healing and wound nursing can be achieved by using this product. The treatment can be especially valuable for horses with persistent wounds that heal with the product, when not with traditional treatment. In the study, wounds started the healing process already after one treatment, granulation tissue was well established, contraction of the wound was seen and finally wound closure and maturation. Microbiological analyzes from the study indicates Staphylococcus aureus to be the primary causing pathogen, since it was the most frequent occurring pathogen in samples. The amounts of Staphylococcus aureus was reduced with treatment, and at the same time high frequency of lactic acid bacteria Fhon2 and Fhon13 (from the wound product) was seen in the samples, which confirms their ability to establish and survive in the wound, and also defeat the pathogen.

More research must be done to achieve stronger evidence, since this study only involves one horse. With the experiences from this report, a future study can be made. Most important are that horses must be their own control through treatment, where one wound is treated with only the honey, to be able to compare results from wounds treated with the product including lactic acid bacteria. With this design the study can be carried out for a long time to include more horses, in order to achieve stronger result and conclusions.

If this wound product also can be applied to replace antibiotics, it could lead to globally improved nursing with reduced spread of antibiotic resistance, and also provide the veterinary nursing field with a product that is safe for both the environment and the personnel.