The proper care of wounds is critical to successful wound healing, restoration of function and overall health in pets. The longer it takes a wound to heal, the more likely the chance of developing infection that can be can lead to the early demise or euthanasia of the pet. There are a variety of safe and effective treatments that help prevent infection and regenerate tissues around a wound to optimize and hasten wound healing. Wound healing often requires a combination of treatments to achieve this goal. Conditions treated include snake bite and chemical induced vasculitis, traumatic degloving injuries, non-healing amputation or surgical sites.

 

IV Vitamin C

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The use of IV Vitamin C has been used successfully to treat antibiotic resistant skin/wound infections caused by methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas. This is thought to occur as these microbes find it difficult to mount resistance to Vitamin C given intravenously. It is common to use both IV Vitamin C and oral antibiotics together with herbal and or antibiotic topical treatments.

 

Medical Honey

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Modern science has confirmed that some honey’s have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative and antibiotic resistant bacteria. The most commonly used medical honey for wound healing is Manuka honey from New Zealand. It is often combined with herbal ointments for enhanced wound healing effects. In addition, honey and honey products have been shown been shown to have anti-oxidant, antiseptic, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti- inflammatory, immunomodulatory properties. In wounds, honey flushes away chemicals that cause wound odor, keeps the wound moist and reduces the trauma of bandage changes. Because honey reduces edema and swelling, it also reduces pain because it decreases the sensitivity of nerves from the inflammatory process. All of these properties contribute to its effectiveness in wound healing.

Chinese Herbal/Botanical Herbal Ointments

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Many Chinese herbal ointments such as Golden Yellow ointment, have been shown to improve wound healing by improving blood circulation and oxygenation of non-healing wounds. These ointments also have strong antimicrobial activity which helps to promote wound healing. Herbal ointments have been especially successful in the treatment of antibiotic resistant wound infections.
 

Acupuncture

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Specific acupuncture points and techniques have been found to be highly effective in the promotion of wound healing. The acupuncture technique used depends on the location, condition and temperament of the patient.
 

Leech therapy

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Leeches are one of the oldest medical treatments recorded. They are used to relieve pain and restore circulation to areas of the body where circulation is impaired or blocked. These qualities make leeches very effective in promoting wound healing, especially in stubborn wounds. Leeches have an enzyme in their saliva called hirudin, which acts as a natural anticoagulant. When a leech is applied to a wound, it sucks up blood and releases hirudin, helping to prevent blood clots from forming and promoting blood flow and oxygenation to the wound to speed up the healing process and provide pain relief. Leeches have also been used to treat ear hematoma, snake bite vasculitis, chemical induced vasculitis, non-healing wounds and amputation sites.

 

Pain Management

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A variety of medications both herbal and conventional can be used to manage wound pain in addition to acupuncture and topical medications.

 

Antibiotic Therapy

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Antibiotics are often used in conjunction with IV Vitamin C and other treatments to achieve resolution of wound infection and healing.