Aa
Large Open Wound
Our 1 year old lab jumped from the back of a truck and she received some serious lacerations on her right hind leg. The cut ended up leaving an area on her hind side with an open wound approx 10" in length and 4 to 5" wide. She underwent surgery and now the skin is starting to grow back. The problem that we are having now is that the new skin is so tight that she will not use her right leg at all and she is losing muscle. We have had 2 different vets talk to us and 2 different opinions. Is there anything that we can do to help promote elasticity in the new skin. We are spraying her with an antiseptic spray 2 to 3 times a day and also applying Trypzyme-V once a day. One of the vets mentions skin grafts and physical therapy, which would be great but very expensive. Are there any other options out there?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
In addition to continuing your physical therapy and stretching exercises, with which I completely agree, swimming is another great alternative you might consider.
Honey, local home made varieties, being your best choice, when applied topically helps wounds to heal and has antimicrobial properties as well. I am not specifically familiar with Manuka honey, but this applies to honey in general and my guess is that Manuka may be the name of a local variety, named accordingly.
Aloe may also promote healing when used topically.
Herbal Remedies may include fresh juice (succus) from Calendula. This is believed to promote wound healing and has mild antimicrobial properties. It can be used diluted as part of a wound lavage.
Homeopathic Options for healing Chronic Wounds include:
Hypericum perforatum 30 C: given up to three times daily for superficial skin erosion's and ulcerations, "road rash".
Silica 30C: given once daily for 2-3 weeks is helpful with chronic indurations and helps expel any foreign elements as well.
Low level laser therapy is also efficacious in promoting wound healing.
As a practicing holistic veterinarian, my top recommendations along with the stretching and physical therapy, for your dog, would be Honey, a locally grown variety, Aloe, Calendula washes for wound lavage and Hypericum perforatum 30C.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you,
Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM.
In addition to continuing your physical therapy and stretching exercises, with which I completely agree, swimming is another great alternative you might consider.
Honey, local home made varieties, being your best choice, when applied topically helps wounds to heal and has antimicrobial properties as well. I am not specifically familiar with Manuka honey, but this applies to honey in general and my guess is that Manuka may be the name of a local variety, named accordingly.
Aloe may also promote healing when used topically.
Herbal Remedies may include fresh juice (succus) from Calendula. This is believed to promote wound healing and has mild antimicrobial properties. It can be used diluted as part of a wound lavage.
Homeopathic Options for healing Chronic Wounds include:
Hypericum perforatum 30 C: given up to three times daily for superficial skin erosion's and ulcerations, "road rash".
Silica 30C: given once daily for 2-3 weeks is helpful with chronic indurations and helps expel any foreign elements as well.
Low level laser therapy is also efficacious in promoting wound healing.
As a practicing holistic veterinarian, my top recommendations along with the stretching and physical therapy, for your dog, would be Honey, a locally grown variety, Aloe, Calendula washes for wound lavage and Hypericum perforatum 30C.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you,
Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You did not say when this happened and that is important to know how far out we are in the healing process.
I am a big believer in physical therapy and have seen very good results with gaining back range of motion in injured limbs when therapy is done consistently. Physical therapy doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. You can probably have your dog seen for an initial evaluation and consult and have the therapist teach you stretching exercises that you can do at home. The therapist may also have you incorporate some heat and massage to help the stretching be more effective. You can then do much of the therapy at home and go back to see the therapist occasionally for rechecks so the therapist can monitor your progress and fine-tune the stretching techniques.
As for the skin, growing over a large deficit may be impossible. A skin graft may help cover the deficit.
I would pursue aggressive physical therapy options now, as allowed by your dog's current wound condition. There is a limited window of opportunity to regain motion and use of the leg.
I am a big believer in physical therapy and have seen very good results with gaining back range of motion in injured limbs when therapy is done consistently. Physical therapy doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. You can probably have your dog seen for an initial evaluation and consult and have the therapist teach you stretching exercises that you can do at home. The therapist may also have you incorporate some heat and massage to help the stretching be more effective. You can then do much of the therapy at home and go back to see the therapist occasionally for rechecks so the therapist can monitor your progress and fine-tune the stretching techniques.
As for the skin, growing over a large deficit may be impossible. A skin graft may help cover the deficit.
I would pursue aggressive physical therapy options now, as allowed by your dog's current wound condition. There is a limited window of opportunity to regain motion and use of the leg.
The accident was the last week of September.
We were shown some stretching exercises and we have been doing those since Friday morning and we can tell a difference in the amount of movement using her back legs.
I have been researching for other alternatives for her skin and found an article on Manuka honey, "medical honey" that is used on open wounds also. Have you ever heard of this?
We were shown some stretching exercises and we have been doing those since Friday morning and we can tell a difference in the amount of movement using her back legs.
I have been researching for other alternatives for her skin and found an article on Manuka honey, "medical honey" that is used on open wounds also. Have you ever heard of this?
You are reading content posted in the Animal Surgery Forum
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Has your pet ever swallowed your prescription medicine? Vet tech Thomas Dock explores the top 10 meds that harm pets and what you can do to prevent a tragedy from happening.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
