The therapeutic efficacy of a drug-loaded hydrogel that was selected after the previous studies was evaluated through one in vivo case study; the case study involved a 13-year-old neutered male dog (Serra da Estrela breed), weighing 30 kg, that was admitted to the veterinary hospital (Hospital Veterinário de S. Bento, Lisbon, Portugal) with multiple dog bite wounds. Physical examination of the dog showed a body condition 3/9, hypotension, prostration, and exudative wounds on the left thoracic limb (two lesions: one caudal and another cranial) and the right pelvic limb (one dorsolateral lesion), with signs of severe pain. The animal had claudication of the left thoracic limb due to a previous identical episode. Biochemical and haemogram analyses were performed and revealed hypoalbuminemia (1.4 g/dL), compatible with protein-losing enteropathy. Initially, the animal required stabilisation with fluid therapy Ringer’s lactate (B. Braun®) through a venous catheter in the jugular (Introcan®). Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotherapy management was performed.
The wounds on the left thoracic limb were cleaned with 1% chlorhexidine (desinclor®) until the animal was stable, and cryotherapy was performed two times a day for 20 days. After stabilisation, it was possible to perform trichotomy of the injured areas using an Oster® Golden A5® shearing machine and Oster CryogenX® No. 40 shearing blade. Thereafter, cleaning of the wounds was carried out with isotonic saline Ringer’s lactate (B. Braun®) associated with 1% chlorhexidine. Drug-loaded hydrogels dressings (8 × 8 cm2) were then applied to the two wounds of the left thoracic limb, gloved, and protected by 100% cotton surgical sterile gauze pads (Bastos Viegas®); they were attached to the limb with adhesive (3M™ Durapore™). The dressing was covered with a second layer of elastic bandage (Bastos Viegas®) and wrapped in a third layer of self-adhesive bandage (Peha-haht®). The procedure was performed in a way to avoid clog of the injured area, ischemia, oedema, or cell death. Dressings were changed daily for the first week and then every 48 h until resolution.
Wound management of the right pelvic limb was performed vi disinfection with 1% chlorhexidine associated with isotonic saline Ringer’s lactate, followed by application of 100% cotton surgical sterile gauze pads (Bastos Viegas®) that were fixed to the skin with a non-woven adhesive band (Omnifix®E). This management is commonly used in clinical practice in wounds whose closure is expected to occur via second-intention healing, without expected complications.
The study was approved by the Ethical Committee (CEBEA) of Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Lusófona (Ref. n◦27/2019); both the ARRIVE guidelines and EU Directive 2010/63/EU for animal experiments were followed.
The wounds on the left thoracic limb were cleaned with 1% chlorhexidine (desinclor®) until the animal was stable, and cryotherapy was performed two times a day for 20 days. After stabilisation, it was possible to perform trichotomy of the injured areas using an Oster® Golden A5® shearing machine and Oster CryogenX® No. 40 shearing blade. Thereafter, cleaning of the wounds was carried out with isotonic saline Ringer’s lactate (B. Braun®) associated with 1% chlorhexidine. Drug-loaded hydrogels dressings (8 × 8 cm2) were then applied to the two wounds of the left thoracic limb, gloved, and protected by 100% cotton surgical sterile gauze pads (Bastos Viegas®); they were attached to the limb with adhesive (3M™ Durapore™). The dressing was covered with a second layer of elastic bandage (Bastos Viegas®) and wrapped in a third layer of self-adhesive bandage (Peha-haht®). The procedure was performed in a way to avoid clog of the injured area, ischemia, oedema, or cell death. Dressings were changed daily for the first week and then every 48 h until resolution.
Wound management of the right pelvic limb was performed vi disinfection with 1% chlorhexidine associated with isotonic saline Ringer’s lactate, followed by application of 100% cotton surgical sterile gauze pads (Bastos Viegas®) that were fixed to the skin with a non-woven adhesive band (Omnifix®E). This management is commonly used in clinical practice in wounds whose closure is expected to occur via second-intention healing, without expected complications.
The study was approved by the Ethical Committee (CEBEA) of Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Lusófona (Ref. n◦27/2019); both the ARRIVE guidelines and EU Directive 2010/63/EU for animal experiments were followed.
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