Antibacterial Effect and Therapy of Chronic Skin Defects Using the Composite Bioscaffold Polycaprolactone/GelitaSpon/Povidone-Iodine in Domestic Dogs

Chronic wounds and the failure of conventional treatment are relatively common in veterinary medicine. Recently, there has been a growing interest in alternative therapeutic approaches and the utilization of biodegradable materials. Their potential application in wound therapy may offer a novel and more suitable option compared to conventional treatment methods. Biodegradable materials can be classified into two main categories: natural, synthetic, and a combination of both, which have the potential to have synergistically enhanced properties. In this study, four domestic dogs with clinical symptoms of chronic wounds were enrolled. These wounds underwent treatment utilizing a novel biodegradable composite material composed of gelatin sponge combined with two electrospun layers of polycaprolactone (PCL) along with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fibers containing povidone-iodine complex (PVP-I). The initial phase of the study was dedicated to evaluating the antibacterial properties of iodine against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. On average, wound healing in domestic dogs took 22 days from the initial treatment, and iodine concentrations demonstrated a significant antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Based on the favorable outcomes observed in wound management, we believe that the utilization of a blend of natural and synthetic biodegradable materials holds promise as an effective wound therapy option.

Impact of Canine Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Media on the Wound Healing Process: In Vitro and In Vivo Study

The aim of this study was to provide a beneficial treatment effect of mesenchymal stem cell products derived from the canine amniotic membrane (AM-MSC) on the complicated wound healing process in dogs. AM-MSCs were characterized in terms of morphology, phenotypic profile, and multilineage differentiation potential. The in vitro study of the effect of canine amniotic mesenchymal stem cell conditioned media (AMMSC-CM) on a primary skin fibroblast cell culture scratch assay showed a decrease in the measured scratch area of about 66.39% against the negative control (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium-32.55%) and the positive control (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with FGF2, N2, B27, and EGF-82.077%) after 72 h treatment. In the experimental study, seven dogs with complicated nonhealing wounds were treated with a combination of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and local AMMSC-CM application. After 15 days of therapy, we observed a 98.47% reduction in the wound surface area as opposed to 57.135% in the control group treated by conventional therapy based on debridement of necrotic tissue, antibiotic therapy, pain management, and change of wound dressing.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Malarone®, Azithromycin and Artesunate Combination for Treatment of Babesia gibsoni in Naturally Infected Dogs

Babesia gibsoni is a tick-borne protozoal blood parasite that may cause hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lethargy, and/or splenomegaly in dogs. Many drugs have been used in management of canine babesiosis such as monotherapy or combined treatment, including diminazene aceturate, imidocarb dipropionate, atovaquone, and antibiotics. This report examines the effectiveness and safety of Malarone®, azithromycin (AZM) and artesunate (ART) combination for the treatment of babesiosis in dogs naturally infected with Babesia gibsoni. Twelve American Pit Bull Terriers were included in the experiment. Examined dogs underwent clinical and laboratory analysis including hematology and biochemistry profile and serum protein electrophoresis. After diagnosis, the dogs received combined therapy with Malarone® (13.5 mg/kg PO q24 h), azithromycin (10 mg/kg PO q24 h) and artesunate (12.5 mg/kg PO q24 h) for 10 days. The combined treatment improved hematology and biochemical parameters to the reference range gradually during the first 14 days already, resulting in the stable values until day 56 after treatment. No clinically apparent adverse effects were reported during treatment and monitoring. No relapses of parasitemia were detected in control days 180, 360, 540 and 720 in all dogs. Results of the study indicate that the combined treatment leads to successful elimination of parasitemia in chronically infected dogs with B. gibsoni.

Efficiency of Enzymatic Debridement in the Healing Process of Chronic Wounds in Small Animal Practice

Skin wounds are a common presentation in small animal practice. These wounds may be acute or chronic with a complicated healing process. An important aspect of the healing of wounds is debridement which may be carried out by surgical, autolytic, mechanical or enzymatic methods. The debridement method is chosen according to the individual skin defect and influenced by factors such as wound size and location, the age of the wound, and the presence of infection or exudate. Enzymatic debridement is a method that is not commonly used in veterinary practice, and involves the use of enzyme preparations to remove necrotic tissue from a wound. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the enzymatic ointment collagenase as a method of debridement, and its effect on the macroscopic appearance of chronic skin wounds in cats and dogs. We observed that the application of Iruxol Mono directly to the wound changes the progress of the healing process, with no obvious adverse effects. The time of healing of chronic wounds was decreased and healthy granulation tissue was developed within a couple of days after application of the ointment. Enzymatic debridement appears to be a promising method of debridement for use in chronic wounds, and should be considered in cases where more conventional methods of debridement are ineffective or unsuitable.

Viability and discrimination of avian peripheral blood mononuclear cells and thrombocytes intended for improvement of wound healing in birds

Birds often suffer from skin injuries of different aetiology. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is successfully used for improvement of wound healing in humans and in some mammalian species (e.g. horses, dogs and cats), but experience with its application in avian patients has not yet been published. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test a quick method for the counting of isolated avian platelets and mononuclear leukocytes and to find an appropriate carrier for their application to the wounds of birds. It seems that flow cytometry can be used for the quick counting of isolated cells and the discrimination of thrombocytes, lymphocytes and eventually monocytes or debris. Of the tested gels and sponges routinely used for improvement of wound healing, a gelatin sponge (Gelaspon®) providing the highest numbers and viability of isolated cells proved to be the best carrier.

Application of a single vascularised skin flap in eastern imperial eagle with skin defects

Skin defects are a frequent problem in avian clinical practice. They require rapid and effective therapy due to the absence of available skin around the skin defects and desiccation of the surrounding tissue. Within the period of one year, between March 2010 and April 2011, several specimens of eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) were treated at the Clinic of Exotic and Free-Living Animals of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. Three of them (cases 1, 2 and 3) had damaged skin on their limbs. The skin defects presented in these patients required surgical treatment by a vascularised skin flap. Acceptance of the skin flap on the entire recipient site was seen in all three patients. Complete healing, as well as functioning of the damaged sites were observed within two months from the surgery. Using surgical treatment in case of extensive skin damages, as well as skin damages in hardly accessible locations, helps to prevent a number of complications associated with the management of the treatment of open wounds. The given method appears suitable also due to a better cosmetic effect and lower degree of stress to the patients.