The following is a case study of treatment for a dog with infected bite wounds written by Dr. Ross of Big Island Pet Care Center. This true story details how laser therapy and ozone therapy brought healing to a wounded pup.
Please note that this case study contains images that pet owners may find graphic. These images have been blurred. If you wish to view the images for visual representation, you can click on them.
When Dog Fight Wounds Get Infected
Unexpected dog fights are probably amongst the most traumatic emergencies for everyone involved: dogs, owners, and veterinarians alike. Puncture wounds can appear to be superficial and then “declare themselves” (as one of my profs in vet school used to say) after a few days as deep and damaging. Despite our best efforts, sometimes patients do not respond to conventional treatments.
I recently saw a canine patient who had been attacked by a housemate. The owner was able to get him into a veterinary clinic first thing the next morning. Wounds were assessed and lavaged, sutures and drains were placed, and the dog was sent home on antibiotics and pain medication. Standard procedure.
About five days later, in a friendly inquiry, I asked how this dog was doing, as he was seen at another local clinic, and I was on the mainland at the time. She shared that the patient was very painful and that she had concerns – and texted me several pictures.
And while a picture is worth a thousand words…
Bacteria digesting tissue, returning it to its basic elements, breaking it down in the cycle of life to death to life, right? We expect it from the meat sitting too long on the counter or from the pig’s remains deteriorating in the sultry Hawaiian air. We expect it from carcasses or rotting food. . . but not on a living patient.
So I was not quite prepared for the smell that assaulted my nose when I saw the dog-fight patient. I had seen the pictures. I knew there was likely an infection – and my sense of smell confirmed it. I had also made the assumption, based on the pictures initially received, that this would be a good case for laser therapy and ozone.
Using Laser Therapy as Wound Treatment
Photobiomodulation therapy, or laser therapy, provides energy at the cellular level for healing. Different combinations of wavelengths and frequencies have different effects, either inhibitory or stimulatory, requiring some knowledge of how to best apply this modality to promote healing. In a case like this one, there was a need to manage the dog’s pain, reduce inflammation, control and combat infection, and promote healing and tissue repair through improved circulation.
I was able to use a combination of programs in my laser unit to address all of these issues, including a blue light mode for infection. For a large open wound like this one, daily or twice daily therapy would increase healing – and thankfully, I had a home rental unit available to send home with the owner for daily use!
Ozone Therapy for Infected Dog Wounds
Ozone therapy is probably less familiar than laser to most pet owners. Ozonated fluids are antibacterial, antifungal, and provide oxygen at the cellular level to promote healing. Ozone can also be used as a gas, which we did in this case, placing the canine patient’s limb in a bag and running the tubing from the ozone generator into the bag. The ozone is absorbed directly through the skin, and after 5-10 minutes of therapy, the skin becomes more pink as circulation to the area is increased. Effects are immediate and visible!
Veterinary Wound Care for Dog Fights Works
Providing ozone and laser therapy for this dog seemed to be just the thing he needed to support the body’s ability to heal itself. The swelling in his foot subsided significantly within 24 hours of the first laser treatment. The owner reported that after using the laser at home the first evening, the patient seemed to just melt and was able to sleep soundly for the first time since the injury.
After a week of daily laser and two rounds of ozone treatment, in conjunction with honey dressings and continued oral antibiotics and pain medications, the patient’s wounds were definitely on the mend. While open wound healing takes additional time, I have no doubt that laser and ozone accelerated the healing process for this patient and that the wounds will heal completely. I expect there will be significant scar tissue and myofascial restrictions given the extent of tissue damage – and those will be addressed with manual therapy in the future. Stay tuned for details!
Healing Pet Wounds at Big Island Pet Care Center
Big Island Pet Care Center and Dr. Ross are glad to provide experienced wound care for our canine and feline patients. If you have a pet in Keaau or nearby areas like Hawaiian Paradise Park that has been wounded and needs veterinary attention, contact us for an urgent appointment.