Coronary Band Autografting in Donkeys: Clinical and Histological Evaluation of Healing Quality of Hoof Wall Defects

Twelve healthy, adult donkeys of both sexes aged between 2 and 4 years were used to evaluate the feasibility of using coronary band autografts to aid in the healing of deep dermal hoof wall injuries. Wound healing and graft take were monitored visually and evaluated histologically at different time points. Epidermal cells of the coronary papillae survived the process of hoof wall stripping. Almost all areas of the basal membrane were intact and attached to the corium at the site of hoof wall stripping. Grafted basal cells were able to produce new generations of cells (keratinocytes or keratin producing cells) which matured and keratinised, resulting in the production of new stratum medium. Inspite of the fact that the new hoof wall was rough and irregular in shape, it was functional and donkeys were no longer lame at 28 days post surgery.