|
The newest revelation in canine wound management has ancient roots.
Sugar and honey, long recognized for their cleansing and healing
properties, are gaining popularity in veterinary medicine. People
were using sugar as early as 1679, while honey has a 4,000-year
medicinal history.
When applied to a wound, sugar lowers the water content to a level
that prevents bacterial growth. However, infection control is only a
small part of the beneficial effect of sugar. It also draws
nutrient-rich fluid into damaged tissue, promoting regeneration of
cells at the surface of the wound. As well, sugar decreases edema
(fluid buildup) generated by inflammation, reduces odours from
wounds, and accelerates sloughing of devitalized tissue.
Ultimately, a bed of healthy tissue – granulation tissue – forms
over wounds managed with sugar. For this reason, sugar therapy is an
excellent choice for wounds with large areas of skin loss (like
those created when a dog is dragged or rolled along the road after
being hit by a car). Ulcers and burns can also benefit from sugar
therapy.
The first step in managing a wound is to clean it. Typically, the
entire area is sprayed with body-temperature water (using a
kitchen-type sprayer) long enough to remove surface contamination,
then patted dry with sterile towels.
Next, a thick layer of granulated sugar, at least one centimeter
thick, is applied to the entire wound bed. The adage “more is
better” holds true in this situation. A large absorbent towel is
placed on top of the sugar, then a secondary bandage, and finally
adhesive material to hold it in place.
A
sugar bandage is replaced as soon as all the sugar granules become
wet, when it’s lost its healing properties. During the first few
days, bandage changes are needed at least twice a day. The frequency
is decreased over time, as dictated by the dryness of the sugar.
Like sugar, honey kills bacteria and draws water away from the
wound. As well, unpasteurized honey contains enzymes and many other
nutrients that nourish tissue and speed healing.
If
a honey bandage is used, the wound is first cleansed (as above). The
amount of honey needed varies with the size of the wound. Two
tablespoons (30 millilitres) will cover a 10-x-10-centimetre
dressing. To make it easier to spread, warm the honey to body
temperature. Outer bandages are needed just as they are for sugar
dressings.
Once the infection is gone and granulation tissue has formed, both
honey and sugar can be discontinued. The wound is then sutured to
close the defect or left to contract and close on its own.
The advantage of both sugar and honey is that both products are
inexpensive and readily available. What a sweet deal!
|
