The efficacy of using a honeydew honey, propolis extract and thyme essential oil dressing as topical treatment for chronic wound in cat: a case report

Abstract

The healing properties of honey have been known for hundreds of years, proving its effectiveness, particularly in the wound healing process. Nowadays, a major importance was attributed to honeydew honey, due to its increased polyphenol content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Propolis and thyme essential oil also represent unfailing aids in wounds’ therapy, thanks to their chemical composition. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical efficacy of a mixture consisting of honeydew honey, propolis extract and thyme essential oil in the treatment of an open chronic wound in a cat patient. The subject of our paperwork was represented by a cat, neutered male, aged one, European breed, weighing four kilograms. According to its medical history, the patient suffered from a traumatic accident by hanging in a wire fence, which resulted in an open wound in the left inguinal area. The cat was brought to ALVET veterinary clinic, because of the following clinical manifestations: apathy, loss of appetite, pain when handling the inguinal area, expressed by both aggressive behavior and vocalization. The clinical exam revealed a laceration wound in the linguinal area, which involved the whole tegument and subcutaneous tissue, while the abdominal wall remained intact. At first attempt, the wound was treated surgically, including pain medication and sedation for proper wound management, without good outcome and therefore, after two weeks we chose a traditional remedy, based on a mixture of honeydew honey, propolis soft extract and thyme essential oil. The dressing was applied once a day, for 25 days and as a result, the wound healed completely without complication and with a very good cosmetic result. We assess that apitherapy should not be simply considered as a ‘folk remedy’, but as a modern therapy, with a large efficacy. This research intends to inform the clinicians about the therapeutic potential of honeydew honey, propolis soft extract and thyme essential oil dressing, when applied on a chronic wound in cat.