Bioactive Glass Fast-tracks Wound Healing, Treats Skin Conditions

Day 1: Horse presented with abscessed, deep puncture wound treated with Tenda Heal spray and fiber. Day 28: Nearly completely healed.

Veterinary, OTC grade products offer state-of-the-art technology

Until recently, no effective breakthroughs in the standard of care for animal or human wounds had emerged. So, when Tenda Horse Products’ leadership team learned about the effectiveness of groundbreaking, ion-enriched, borate-based bioactive glass (BBBG), they incorporated it into their equine and pet care product line under the name Tenda Heal. The new technology is available for veterinary use in the form of a fibrous matrix, similar to that of a cotton pad. Spray and cream formulas are available over the counter (OTC).

What is BBBG?

BBBG is network of glass fibers enriched with boron, calcium, zinc and copper ions.  It functions as a bioabsorbable structure that bonds to existing tissue and encourages growth of fibrin, which is required for clotting and healing. As the body absorbs the BBBG fiber, calcium, copper, zinc, and boron ions are released, which are critical to many biological reactions in tissue repair.

Boron is a natural antimicrobial element effective against bacteria, fungi, and yeast.  Calcium ions stimulate blood clotting to stop bleeding. Zinc is an essential micronutrient required for tissue regeneration and repair.  Copper, essential to wound healing, is antimicrobial and stimulates endothelial cells, which control blood clotting, immune function, and platelet adhesion.

“Our plan from the outset was to formulate BBBG products for large-scale, over-the-counter availability,” says David Cowan, Tenda vice president of sales and marketing. “We were so excited to bring something so new and advanced to the wound and skin care sphere.” In 2018, Tenda broke ground and built a new, state-of-the art manufacturing facility to scale up production of Tenda Heal spray and cream, along with the company’s other products.

“The owners purchased the company because they loved and used the products with their horses and intended to invest in and grow the brand,” says Cowan. “Our eco-friendly, biodegradable products are made with top-grade, raw ingredients,” says Cowan. “Our performance supplements contain all-natural ingredients. Our proprietary poultice formulations were developed to cleanly and quickly rinse without any residue. Our Ichthammol is sourced from an Austrian mine, unlike counterfeit Ichthammol made with vegetable oils.”

Bioactive Glass in Soft Tissue Repair

“Regenerative therapies for equine musculoskeletal conditions have become common in equine sports medicine,” says Blake Everett, DVM, MS, ACVS-LA. “It’s nothing short of amazing what it’s doing for wound care. I’ve treated gaping wounds too large to be sutured to the point they easily healed with no visible scarring.”

While clinical use of bioactive glass for bone regeneration and dental defects began with humans in the late 1980s, it’s only been used for soft tissue repair for the past few years.  The veterinary-grade, fibrous form of BBBG is sold in concentrated pads that can be pulled apart, fluffed out, and molded to the wound bed. “The concept is similar to pulling apart a cotton ball,” Cowan adds. “The spray and cream don’t have to be administered or prescribed by a veterinarian.”

Success in Veterinary Care

“In many cases, I don’t need to put a horse on antibiotics, or just do for a few days,” notes Everett. “I don’t need to use triple-antibiotic ointment, because Tenda Heal tackles the bioburden (kills bacteria). Infection is the No. 1 cause of non-healing wounds. When I have a case come in with a non-healing or very slow healing wound, I use Tenda Heal. Within two or three days, the healing process is evident, and it progresses pretty fast from there.”

BBBG heals wounds of all sizes and types, including surgical wounds, Everett adds. “Since using it, I’ve never seen wounds heal as fast or as well,” he notes. “Nothing is a consistent or as easy to apply. It’s a healing game changer.” Before applying Tenda Heal, Everett moistens and cleans the wound with Tenda Heal spray, then fluffs and lightly applies the Tenda Heal fiber to the wound bed.

Everett says Tenda Heal also makes compliance easier on the clients’ part because the body absorbs the glass fibers, “Owners don’t have to do anything at home or worry about so many frequent dressing changes. It’s the go-to for our practice,” he says, referring to the Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Tenda Horse Products, which came on board as a corporate partner with NRHA in 2021, has served the performance horse industry for more than half a century. Products include equine nutritional supplements; leg, muscle, hoof, wound, and skin care products; healing salves; and topical commodities; along with shampoos, conditioners, and grooming products for horses and pets.

This article was written for and appeared in NRHA Reiner magazine.