Topical treatments in equine wound management.

Wound repair is a complex series of coordinated events regulated by a delicately orchestrated cascade of cytokines and growth factors that restore the structural integrity of damaged tissue. Manipulation of the growth factor profile or wound environment through topical application of therapeutic agents could positively influence the rate and quality of wound repair. Transforming growth factor-beta,platelet-rich plasma, activated macrophage supernatant, and growth hormone are sources of mediators that may facilitate wound healing. Solcoseryl, ketanserin, tripeptide- and tetrapeptide-copper complexes, maltodextrin, live yeast cell derivative, corticosteroids,aloe vera, acemannan, phenytoin, honey, sugar, and maggots may modify the wound environment and promote repair. The process of wound healing is complex, however, and it is currently unknown whether any one agent can ameliorate all issues of repair or cover all vulnerabilities of impaired wound healing.