This study evaluates the wound-healing process in horses following the application of two treatment modalities: bacterial cellulose hydrogel with alginate (BCAW) and frog skin (FSW) dressings on experimentally induced skin wounds. Throughout the experiment, no clinical abnormalities were noted in the horses, although initial wound assessments indicated edema and sensitivity. Local hemorrhage was observed in some cases on Day 0, with granulation tissue formation evident by Day 14. Epithelialization began around Day 14 but did not reach complete healing in any group by Day 28. The analysis showed no significant differences in skin wound area or wound contraction rates among the treatment groups compared to control wounds (CWs) over the evaluation periods. Histopathological evaluations also indicated no significant differences in inflammatory responses or healing markers, such as fibroblast proliferation and neovascularization in skin wounds across groups. Despite expectations based on prior research in other species, the treatments with BCAW and FSW did not demonstrate substantial pro-healing effects in horses with induced skin wounds. These findings underscore the complexity of equine wound healing and suggest further investigation is needed to optimize treatment strategies in this species and enhance the translational potential for human clinical applications.

This paper aimed to report a successful forelimb amputation and long‐term follow‐up in a White Dorper ram. An 8‐month‐old 45.5 kg White Dorper ram was found standing on the exposed metacarpal bone of the right forelimb. Detailed clinical examination and radiographic evaluation confirmed metacarpophalangeal avulsion. Limb amputation was performed by radiocarpal disarticulation. Postoperative complications included wound infection and dehiscence. Fifteen days post‐surgery, the necrotic accessory carpal bone was retrieved during wound cleaning. After this, the stump healed rapidly by secondary intention within 30 days. During this recovery time, the ram showed good adaptation to walking on three legs, and the owner gave up buying the prosthesis. The ram returned to the flock fully adapted 45 days after surgery. We emphasize that documenting more limb amputations in livestock is critical to obtain conclusions about the prognosis, life expectancy and expected quality of life.

We evaluated the macroscopic and histopathological aspects of skin healing by secondary intention in equine wounds, surgically induced and topically treated with bacterial cellulose hydrogel with alginate (BCAG) or frog skin (FSG), compared with ringer lactate (CG). Three wounds were created on each side of the lumbar region, one side for gross evaluation with photos and measurement of the area and contraction rate and the other for histopathological evaluation, with the sides selected randomly, in 5 horses. All wounds received daily treatment, and clinical and histopathological evaluations were conducted on postoperative days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Although no statistical differences were observed, the BCAG presented a reduced wound area and a high wound contraction percentage on days 14 and 21. At 28 days, the average contraction rates were 96.08%, 92.87%, and 88.6% for the CG, BCAG, and FSG, respectively. Although there was no statistical difference between the groups in wound healing in this study in horses, in clinical evaluations an early start of filling the area of the wounds treated with frog skin was observed, and on D14 and D21, a smaller area and higher contraction rate were observed in BCAG, which can be attributed to more efficient re-epithelialization and fibroblast proliferation.

Anais do Simpósio Internacional do Cavalo Atleta (SIMCAV) (978-65-5941-211-2) - Terapias Adjuvantes Ao Tratamento Clínico De Tenossinovite Crônica Em Equino-Relato De Caso

Anais do Simpósio Internacional do Cavalo Atleta (SIMCAV) (978-65-5941-211-2) - Utilização De Hidrogel De Celulose Bacteriana Com Alginato Na Cicatrização De Feridas Em Equinos