Wound Management in a Juvenile Tiger (Panthera Tigris) With Vacuum-Assisted Closure (V.A.C. Therapy)

Abstract

A 6-wk-old tiger (Panthera tigris) was evaluated for severe skin lacerations from an adult tiger attack. A caudal superficial epigastric skin flap was surgically placed to cover a defect that could not be closed over the hind limb; however, the skin flap did not adhere well to the granulation tissue over a period of 1 mo. The granulation bed matured and deteriorated. A subatmospheric pressure technique (vacuum-assisted closure, V.A.C. Therapy, Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, Texas 78219, USA) was utilized, and flap adherence occurred after 4 wk. This technique should be considered when dealing with severe or chronic wounds in tractable animals.

Successful wound healing over exposed metal implants using vacuum‐assisted wound closure in a dog

“…, Lafortune et al . ). Exposed metal has been shown to be associated with higher rates of infection and difficulties in wound management (Cordero et al .…”

Current Concepts in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

“…There are several reports describing the use of NPWT in individual cats, 7,8 horses, 9 and dogs, 10 as well as a few exotic animal species. [11][12][13] There are also a case series 14 and controlled experimental studies. 15,16 NPWT involves the use of a vacuum, or suction, applied to an open wound that has been covered with porous foam that is then covered by an adherent, occlusive sheet of plastic bandage material to achieve an airtight seal.…”

Nanocrystalline silver dressing and subatmospheric pressure therapy following neoadjuvant radiation therapy and surgical excision of a feline injection site sarcoma

“…14 Although not extensively used in veterinary patients SAPT is reported to be simple to use, well tolerated and cost-effective and is gaining in popularity. Its use in dogs and cats has been reported for treatment of extensive avulsion injuries to both the body 15,16 and extremities, 17 as well as urine-induced skin necrosis. 18 It has been described for management of wound dehiscence including infected sites 19 and, in combination with nanocrystalline silver dressings, for management of wound infection in a dog following an extensive burn injury.…”