Companion Publications

Thermal Burn, Canine, "April"

Written by Companion | Nov 13, 2022 10:15:00 PM
Case and Photos courtesy of  Dr. Jeanette Pettit, Peticote Veterinary Clinic, Southampton, NJ​

Signalment
3 year old, F Canine, Beagle, “April”​

Presentation
Patient burned in a kennel fire while owners were away from home; neighbor rescued April from the kennel.

Initial Examination 
Revealed only 4x4 in. alopecic area on left lateral hip with mild erythema. Patient discharged on antibiotics and analgesics and owner instructed to monitor for any changes. Six days later, April re-presented to DVM; foul smelling drainage noted from blistered skin on flank.

Laser Therapy Treatment
Initially beginning with a dose of 4,200 total joules to the entire affected area (target energy density of 6 J/cm2) and decreasing the dose as the wound area became smaller.

Treatment Frequency 
Daily during bandage
changes initially, then EOD

Other Treatments 
Wet to dry bandages;
wound lavage; silver sulfadiazine ointment; antibiotics (enrofloxacin); analgesics (buprenorphine, tramadol).

 

  Six days after presentation   12 days after presentation   26 days after presentation   51 days after presentation   3 months after presentation