Animalintex Poultice
Animalintex Poultice
Each pad contains:
Boric acid Ph. Eur 2.08 g
Tragacanth Ph.Eur 6.02 g
Indications for use, specifying the target species
Horse and dog as applicable
The poultice may be used as follows:-
HOT
For infected or dirty wounds, hoof punctures, removing thorns, abscesses, coronary band abscesses, Quittor-in-the-hoof, thrush, corns (infected or sterile), bruised sole, seedy toe, laminitis, sandcrack and 24 hours after an injury to provide warmth for bruises, contusions.
COLD
For bruises, contusions, laminitis and the first 24 hours of any inflamed injury with heat and/ or swelling, followed by hot application for warmth.
AS A DRY DRESSING
To stop bleeding, protect from further infection, treat wounds and promote faster healing.
Contraindications
Do not use with medical preparations except on the advice of a veterinary surgeon.
Should not be used on horses known to be sensitised to Tragacanth.
Special warnings for each target species
The over-use of hot, wet dressings to an open wound or abscess may encourage the development of excessive granulation tissue (proud flesh).
Dogs are prone to attempt to remove and or consume all dressings so an appropriate lamp-shade type/ (Elizabeth) collar guard should be used.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
Ensure the dressing is not applied too hot, i.e. by testing on the back of the hand.
Ensure that the bandage is not applied too tightly so as to constrict circulation.
If a skin reaction occurs when adhesive dressings are used to hold the product in place, their use should be discontinued. Skin reaction is characterised by soreness and serum exudate at the site.
Consult a veterinary surgeon before applying to infected wounds.
For external use only
Special precautions for the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals.
Wash hands after application of a poultice
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Minor reactions in horses to the Tragacanth ingredient have been reported at a very low frequency. These reported minor reactions do not exceed 2 per million units. No adverse reactions in dogs have been reported
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Can be used during pregnancy and lactation provided the precautions described in the leaflet are observed, i.e.:
" Change at least once every twelve hours
" Do not apply too hot, i.e. it should feel comfortable on the back of your hand
" Endure the poultice is applied with the plastic waterproof backing facing away from the skin or hoof
" Do not bandage too tightly
" If the skin is broken, anti-tetanus cover is required
" If adhesive dressings are used on animals, they should be discontinued if a skin reaction occurs. This is characterised by soreness, redness and serum exudates at the site
" If in doubt, consult a veterinary surgeon
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Should not be used with other topical treatments except with veterinary advice. The occlusive conditions which occur under a hot wet pad can potentiate a topical treatment, e.g. wound powder and produce an adverse reaction
Amount(s) to be administered and administration route
The area to be poulticed should be washed initially by clean water or by boiled, cooled water. If the skin is broken or infected, boiled cooled water and a saline solution should be used. Place the dressing in a shallow tray of boiled water cooled to 38°C (100°F). Once it is saturated, remove the dressing and gently squeeze out excess water. Place on the affected area with the polythene facing outward. Care should be taken to ensure the temperature does not exceed 40°C. i.e. :bearable on back of the hand.
For ponies and for dogs, the poultice needs to be cut to an appropriate size
Cold Poultice Dressing
After soaking the dressing in cooled, boiled water, apply the cool dressing to the affected area.
Dry Dressing
Simply apply the dressing directly and bandage
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
The risk of overdosing with Boric Acid is absent. However, poultices can be left on too long and can lead to skin maceration. Follow instructions to change the dressing every 12 hours.
Pharmacodynamic properties
Gum Tragacanth .
Tragacanth on its own has no particular pharmacological properties but in the presence of warm/hot water and boric acid, it acts as a "drawing" agent. Since it is sparingly soluble in water, but is "gummy", it holds the boric acid powder within the spaces of the cotton fibres in the pad. Once the skin is softened in wet conditions, it promotes the drawing of pus from boils and abscesses and eases the removal of thorns and foreign matter from wounds. Occasional hypersensitivity to Tragacanth may be experienced.
Boric Acid Ph. Eur.
Boric Acid is a weak acid; a 3.33% solution in water having a pH of 3.8 to 4.8. It has mild properties both antifungal and anti-bacterial. A 1.9% aqueous solution is iso-tonic. It is soluble in water : 5% at 22 C and 27.7% at 100 C. However, since a pad absorbs x8.3 its weight in water, the normal concentration of Boric acid in the solution is 0.56%. At this concentration the solution would have no osmotic effect.
