Understanding the approach to animals with thermal burns

Abstract

Thermal burn injuries represent a spectrum of superficial to deep epidermal and dermal injury sustained after exposure to a liquid, solid or gaseous heat source. Severe thermal burns result in both local damage and systemic effects. In systemically compromised animals, managing major body system abnormalities takes priority over surgically managing the thermal burn. General principles of wound management are relevant to animals with thermal burns. The surgical approach will vary according to individual wound and patient factors. Adjunctive therapies, such as negative pressure wound therapy, are touched on. Further research into thermal burns in veterinary cases is warranted.