Wound healing is a complex activity of several cells with their products leading to tissue regeneration and repair. Twelve indigenous breeds of dogs were randomly grouped into groups I, II, III and IV of 3 dogs each. Excisional and incisional wounds were surgically created on the left and right sides respectively. The dogs in Group I were administered normal saline while Groups II, III and IV were given hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone respectively at 1.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg intramuscularly post-wounding. The wounds were cleaned and assessed for epthelialisation, contraction and pus formation. RESULT: The wound dimensions from insult of excisional wound, increased steadily to peak (10.34 cm2) at 10th day in the control, (12.21 cm2) 17th day; (11.97 cm2) 12th day and (13.87 cm2) 17th day post-wounding in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone treated groups respectively. Maximum contraction was recorded at 33rd day (3.52 cm2) in the control, 40th days (3.55 cm2), 30th (3.86 cm2) and 42nd (3.98 cm2) in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone groups respectively with insignificant statistical difference.  The wound dimensions from the insult in the incisional wounds increases steadily to peak (6.31 cm2) at 7th day in the control; (7.51 cm2) 10th day; (6.81 cm2) 12th day and (8.38 cm2) 10th day post-wounding in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone treated groups respectively. Maximum contraction was recorded after complete epithelialisation at 24th day (2.32 cm2) in the control, 21st days (3.58 cm2), and 26th (2.39 cm2) and 31st (3.32 cm2) in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone groups respectively with insignificant statistical difference (p<0.05). The administration of steroids (anti-inflamatory) does not prevent wound retraction especially with the use of methylprednisolone, however, the dexamethasone treated group had the least scar size post healing.

The number of medical procedures using iodinated contrast media has increased in recent decades, though contrast media are regarded as safer. Nine Nigerian indigenous breed of dogs were acquired and housed in the Small Animal Kennel of the Nigerian Veterinary Research Institute Veterinary Hospital. The nine dogs were grouped into three groups of three animals each. Group A was the control, and were given urografin at 370 mg/kg, ten minutes before exposure to x-ray. Group B were given dexamethasone at 1 mg/kg 2 hours before x-ray and urografin ten minutes before exposure to x-ray. Group C were given methylprednisolone at 1 mg/kg 2 hours before exposure to x-ray, and urografin ten minutes before exposure to x-ray. All groups were given urografin 24 hours later at 370 mg/kg. Pathological changes in the liver and the kidney were more severe in the methylprednisolone treated group, followed by dexamethasone treated group. While, the dexamethasone treated group recorded more pathologies in the spleen. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone and methylprednisolone) tends to be more protective in the heart. We recommend that the use of steroids such as dexamethasone and methylprednisolone be avoided in contrast radiography except where heart pathology exist