Comparative healing of nitrofurazone bandage treated and untreated excisional skin wounds in cattle

Abstract

The healing of untreated and Nitrofurazone bandage treated excisionalskin wounds on the metatarsal and/or metacarpal regions of cows was compared. There was no difference in the rate of wound healing and epithelization between the untreated and treated wounds healing and epithelialization between the untreated and treated wounds (P<O.OS). but contraction was greater in the treated wounds (P>O.OS). The untreated wounds did not produce exuberant granulation tissue and healed with thick firm scars. The treated wounds grew excessive granulation tissue and healed with thin friable scars that were very easily disrupted. Results suggested that skin lacerations on the distal limbs of healthy cattle do not benefit from topical antibiosis and or bandaging.