References
Effective wound care — the use of Pioneer's dressings to optimise healing
Abstract
There are a wide number of wound dressing products available on the veterinary market, with each dressing having a specific function in wound healing. In order to use these dressings appropriately, a sound understanding in the processes of wound healing is essential, and therefore which dressing is most suited to the different phase, in order to optimise wound healing. Wound debridement is also a key aspect of wound management, and again, knowledge of the different techniques, and materials, which can be utilised is essential, in order to select the most appropriate approach.
The treatment of small animal wounds will commonly require a staged approach. Definitive treatment will often be delayed while emergency treatment of the patient and its wound, and initial stabilisation is performed. Analgesia and effective restraint is often required, until the animal is stable enough for sedation or a general anaesthetic (GA). Wounds can be classified by their cause and the type of tissue damage caused: incisional, abrasion, avulsion (or degloving), shearing, puncture or perforated, and burns. Regardless of the aetiology of the wound, the factor which has the single biggest impact on future healing is the presence of contamination and necrotic tissue.
Once the patient is stable a more thorough evaluation may be carried out. Appropriate chemical restraint may be required for examination. Diagnostic imaging may be used to check for foreign material, penetrating injuries, associated fractures, dislocations and tendon or ligament damage. A management plan should take into account the wound's location, size, damage to local structures and the amount of tissue loss.
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