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K-9 Companion&trade For Dogs

Agricultural, cosmetic, veterinary and medical use of emu-based products has soared in the last decade. This Technical Bulletin addresses the use of K-9 Companion&trade, a new, patented emu-oil based topical spray for use in veterinary applications of wound healing. University laboratory testing has proven K-9 Companion&trade to have anti-microbial, bactericidal, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. K-9 Companion&trade, patented in 2002, is being used extensively in a variety of professional and veterinary settings with superior results in promoting wound healing and reducing scarring.

Healing of a skin wound in mammals is a mixture of regeneration (creation of the same cell types as originally damaged) and replacement (substitution of a new cell type for an old one). Scarring is the result of replacement, so the more regeneration that can occur, the less scarring will be left behind after wound healing.

Wound healing typically follows a fairly typical time course in mammals, though the presence of pathogens can lengthen the recovery time (Hackam and Ford, 2003). Generally, within a few minutes of the initial damage to the tissue, which almost always results in trauma to blood vessels, a plug of platelets and other blood products (blood clot) forms at the site of tissue damage and stops further loss of blood.

Within hours of receiving the wound, debris-eating white blood cells called neutrophils have invaded the area of damage, signaling the start of the inflammation response. Inflammation is a series of events that includes increased blood flow, increased blood vessel permeability, activation of pain receptors and intense consumption of cell debris and bacteria by neutrophils and other white blood cells. Neutrophils ingest introduced bacteria and dead and dying cells in the wound, and are themselves killed in the process. The accumulating mixture of dead neutrophils and fluid forms pus. Typically within a few days, the surface of the clot has dried to form a scab. Now macrophages (another type of specialized white blood cell) infiltrate the wound, where they ingest dead neutrophils and other cellular debris.

Within a week after the wound occurred, tough, fibrous cells called fibroblasts move in from surrounding connective tissue and start to multiply at the wound site. The fibroblasts begin to secrete collagen fibers. At the same time, new epidermis begins to regenerate. New endothelial cells from neighboring undamaged tissue begin to form new capillaries that grow into the repairing wound site to supply blood to the newly forming epidermis.

Within a few weeks, the rapidly dividing epidermis completely lines the original wound site. The fibroblasts generate new connective tissue (scar tissues), which replaces the epidermis destroyed by the wound. Scar tissue persists after the healing of particularly severe wounds. The rapidity and effectiveness of skin wound repair depends on several factors (Burns et al., 2003). Proper nutrition is essential (Russell 2001). Vitamins C, D, E, and K all play important roles at some stage in the tissue repair process (Casey, 2003). Agents that increase cell division, such as the emu oil found in K-9 Companion&trade will also hasten wound healing (Snowden et al., 1997; Politis and Dmytrowich, 1998; Lopez et al., 1999).

A growing appreciation of the superior nutritional characteristics of emu meat (Fukushima et al., 1999; Daniel et al., 2000; Beckerbauker, 2001) has led to a considerable increase in the number of emus raised in both the US and abroad (especially Australia, where the emu is indigenous). Associated with the rising popularity of emu meat as a food product is an increase in the production of commercial and fully refined oil rendered from the copious amounts of subcutaneous fat in the processed bird.

Emu oil based cosmetic and health products, which have burgeoned in recent years, derive their popularity from the numerous positive properties of emu oil. These include scientifically supported descriptions of cosmetic applications as a skin moisturizer (Zemtsov, 1996) and skin restorer. (Snowden et al., 1997; Politis and Dmytrowich, 1998; Lopez et al., 1999).
The Emu Oil Institute additionally provides anecdotal reports on their web site (www.emu-oil.com) of emu oil?s benefits in symptomatic relief and treatment of a variety of skin ailments, including eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, ichthyosis, alopecia areata, as well as other skin and superficial diseases that can be treated with anti-inflammatory substances.

Lucid Med Tec II, Ltd., a Texas-based veterinary and medical pharmaceutical company, introduced TopicAid® for dogs in late 2002. The name was changed to K-9 Companion&tradein 2004. K-9 Companion&trade is a patented, topically applied spray containing emu oil. K-9 Companion&trade is effective in the symptomatic relief and treatment of chronic cutaneous ulcers, burns, mechanical wounds and abrasions in dogs. This patented product is also suitable for application to fresh wounds and surgical incisions; it can also be used to accelerate already healing wounds.

The oleic-rich emu oil within K-9 Companion&trade enables epidermal tissue to regenerate, restore, and rebuild in the wound itself and in underlying dermal and subcutaneous tissue, thereby fortifying non-necrotic epidermal and dermal cells, and revitalizing potential necrotic cells. (Snowden et al., 1997; Politis and Dmytrowich, 1998; Lopez et al., 1999). A major clinical benefit of K-9 Companion&trade is reduced wound sepsis rates due to the formulation?s proven antibacterial properties (D. Kunz, unpub.).K-9 Companion&trade also provides improved rates of wound closure (including surgical incisions) and reduced healing times. The formula reduces wound debridement and increase epidermal cell proliferation, while maintaining and feeding skin cells. Reduced scarring is evident, leading to improved function (e.g. range of motion, contour and profile of healed skin, normalization of skin pigmentation, markings, hair coat).

K-9 Companion&tradeis a proprietary health product made from fully refined emu oil as a transdermal facilitator. Also containing benzyl alcohol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, allantoin, methylparaben and propylparaben, K-9 Companion&trade is formulated into a convenient topical spray.

The composition of purified, fully refined emu oil is well characterized, and comprises approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids. The primary fatty acid by % composition is oleic acid (49%), a known penetration enhancer (PE) for transportation of compounds through dermal pores in human skin, and thus, in delivering the active ingredients into the highly perfused subcutaneous layers (Touitou et al., 2002; Jiang, and Zhou, 2003). The lipid composition of emu oil is presented in the following table:

Emu oil closely reflects the lipid composition of mammal skin (including that of humans), which likely contributes to its rapid and effective transdermal migration. Emu oil additionally contains a Calculated Iodine Value of 69-72.8 mEq/100g oil.

The considerable similarity between the fatty acid composition of emu oil and human skin, combined with the large concentration of oleic acid, contributes to the skin penetrating powers of emu-oil based products, including K-9 Companion&trade.

Lucid Med Tec II, Ltd. has developed a patented line of veterinary (equine and dog) and human wound healing products. A major R&D goal is to expand and improve upon the relatively few numbers of professionally conducted biomedical experiments that currently support the voluminous anecdotes and testimonials accompanying non-patented emu- oil based health products.

Lucid Med Tec II, Ltd. recently sponsored an investigation at a microbiology laboratory at the University of North Texas (Denton, Texas). This investigation has conclusively proven that K-9 Companion&trade has statistically significant, and potent, anti-bacterial properties. It is especially effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (three common pathogens in horse and small mammal wounds Jacks et al., 2003).
A second investigation funded by Lucid Med Tec II, Ltd. and currently underway involves a clinical trial at a respected Midwestern School of Veterinary Medicine, to determine the effectiveness and mechanism of action of K-9 Companion&trade in small mammals.

K-9 Companion&tradeis designed to be applied as a drenching spray directly onto the affected area twice daily or as needed. More frequent applications may be indicated when a partial thickness wound is large, or for a surgical incision.

The shelf life of K-9 Companion&trade has been determined to be at least 2 years at 60-86 degrees Fahrenheit (15-30 degrees celsius). Products may be refrigerated, but should be warmed to room temperature for application.

No contraindications have emerged in two years of field trialsof K-9 Companion&trade. Lucid Med Tec II, Ltd. does not know of any product failure such as adverse reactions, non-performance, or environmental hazards.

Emu oil, a food byproduct, is an all-natural substance obtained from the fat of the emu, a ratite bird related to the ostrich, rea and cassowary. Many emu oil products currently used in medical and veterinary medicine have not been refined, but instead are simply rendered. In the rendering process, the oil is only filtered, leaving contaminants within the final product. K-9 Companion&trade on the other hand, uses high quality, fully refined emu oil produced through an expensive, multi-step process of refinement and deodorization. This yields a pure, creamy white and odor-free oil. Additionally, the emu oil in K-9 Companion&trade has been formulated for use as a preparation for treatment of open, potentially septic wounds.

K-9 Companion&trade is a cost-effective, easily applied topical spray that promotes healing of surgical incisions, mechanical wounds and abrasions, and burns. It is indicated especially where both animal comfort and ultimate appearance of the skin/coat is important to the value of the animal. Wound healing is accelerated, and the ultimate appearance of the wound site is such that scar tissue formation is greatly reduced, an important consideration for valuable show animals.

Beckerbauer, L.M., Thiel-Cooper, R., Ahn, D.U., Sell, J.L., Parrish, F.C. Jr., Beitz, D.C. 2001. Influence of two dietary fats on the composition of emu oil and meat. Poultry Science Feb;80(2):187-94.

Burns, J.L., Mancoll, J.S., Phillips, L.G. 2003. Impairments to wound healing. Clinical Plastic Surgery. 30(1):47-56.

Casey, G. 2003. Nutritional support in wound healing. Nursing Standards 17(23):55-8.

Daniel, D.R., Thompson, L.D., Hoover, L.C. 2000. Nutrition composition of emu compares favorably with that of other lean meats. Journal American Diet. Association. Jul;100(7):836-8.

Fukushima, M., Ohashi, T., Sekikawa, M., Nakano, M. 1999. Comparative hypocholesterolemic effects of five animal oils in cholesterol-fed rats. Bioscience, Biotechnoogicy and Biochemistry. Jan;63(1):202-5.

Hackam, D.J., Ford, H.R. 2002. Cellular, biochemical, and clinical aspects of wound healing. Surgical Infection (Larchmt). 3 Suppl 1:S23-35.

Jacks, S.S., Giguere,S., Nguyen, A. 2003. In vitro susceptibilities of Rhodococcus equi and other common equine pathogens to azithromycin, arithromycin, and 20 other antimicrobials. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 47(5):1742-5.

Jiang, S.J., Zhou, X.J. 2003. Examination of the mechanism of oleic Acid-induced percutaneous penetration enhancement: an ultra structural study. 2003. Biological and Pharmacological Bulletin. 26(1):66-8.

Lopez, A., Sims, D.E., Ablett, R.F., Skinner, R.E., Leger, L.W., Lariviere, C.M., Jamieson, L.A., Martinez-Burnes, J., Zawadzka, G.G. 1999. Effect of emu oil on auricular inflammation induced with croton oil in mice.
American Journal of Veterinary Research Dec;60(12):1558-61.

Politis, M.J., Dmytrowich, A. 1998. Promotion of second intention wound healing by emu oil lotion: comparative results with furasin, polysporin, and cortisone. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Dec;102(7):2404-7.

Russell, L. 2001. The importance of patients' nutritional status in wound healing.
British Journal of Nursing. 10(6 Suppl):S42, S44-9.

Snowden, J.M., Whitehouse, M.W. 1997. Anti-inflammatory activity of emu oils in rats. Inflammopharmacology ;5:127-132.

Touitou, E., Godin, B., Karl, Y., Bujanover, S., Becker, Y. 2002. Oleic acid, a skin penetration enhancer, affects Langerhans cells and corneocytes. Journal of Controlled Release. 23;80(1-3):1-7.

Zemtsov, A., Gaddis, M., Montalvo-Lugo, V.M., Zemstov, A. 1996. Moisturizing and cosmetic properties of emu oil: a pilot double blind study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology Aug;37(3):159-61.

K-9 Companion&trade is a registered trademark of Lucid Med Tec II, Ltd.

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