EFFECT OF GUAVA (Psidium guajava) CREAM ON THE GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC FEATURES AND HEALING RATE OF INCISIONAL WOUNDS IN DOMESTIC SHORT-HAIRED CATS

Abstract

 The study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of guava cream as replacement for topical antibiotic for wound healing. Twelve cats were divided into four groups and subjected to different concentrations of guava cream: 0% (antibiotic wound cream group), 1%, 3% and 5% having 3 animals per group. A dorsal midline incision (at the level of T6 to T7, with a length of 2.5 centimeters in full thickness) was made and was left open for second intention healing. A thin layer of cream was applied over the wound every other day starting day 0 until day 20 and an incisional biopsy was done at day 0, 7, and 14. Wound contraction and gross appearance was graded. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) on the effect of wound healing of the different percentages of guava cream compared to the wound cream however, the results of the 3% and 5% guava cream had a faster wound contraction. All treatments of guava cream produced comparable results with the antibiotic wound cream therefore, this study concludes that guava cream can be used as an alternative antiseptic and antibacterial treatment for wounds.