Identifying wound infections for veterinary nurses

Abstract

Heavily contaminated wounds are a common occurrence in both referral and primary care practice, with traumatic and bite wounds being among the most typical aetiologies seen. Each type of wound can be affected by numerous factors that can inhibit the healing process, one of these major factors is infection.Wound infections and the formation of biofilms can present veterinary nurses with a variety of challenges, which is why it is important that we understand the difference between normal inflammatory signs and the signs of infection. The early identification of infection and biofilms within a wound can influence healing times, scar tissue formation and length of healing. This article aims to highlight the difference between inflammation and infection, the different levels of contamination within a wound, and ways to decipher between superficial and deep tissue infections.