Management of open wounds

Abstract

Open wound management in small animals is a common event in veterinary practice. It is economically significant and can cause considerable distress and pain to the animal. The aim of wound management is to provide conditions that allow for optimal wound healing or to prepare the wound for definitive closure by reconstructive techniques. However, every wound is unique and this problem is reflected in the paucity of published studies analysing the effectiveness of wound dressing products in the management of small animal wounds. Wounds must be properly evaluated at the first presentation in order to plan a treatment protocol and to give the owner an indication of the expected duration of treatment and ultimately the prognosis. This chapter considers how to manage open wounds and how to use dressings and bandages to optimize the healing process. The following topics are addressed: Principles of wound management; Wound lavage; Wound debridement; Systemic treatments; Bandages and dressings; Topical medications; Primary (contact) layer wound dressings; Bandaging; and Wound management strategy and planning. This chapter also includes case examples focusing on Open wound management of a chronic shear injury prior to skin grafting; and Management of an acute road traffic shear injury. Case examples: Open wound management of a chronic shear injury; Management of an acute road traffic shear injury