EFFECTS OF LOCALLY INJECTED MEDICATIONS ON HEALING OF PAD WOUNDS IN DOGS

Objective-To ascertain the effects of locally injected immunostimulant and tripeptide-copper complex (TCC) on improving healing of pad wound s. Design-Wounds in pads of large dogs were injected with either medic ation or physiologic saline solution (controls). Healing was evaluated . Animals-12 mature English Pointers. Procedure-Full-thickness 6 x 8-m m wounds in metatarsal and third and fourth digital pads were injected with immunostimulant or TCC at 0, 3, and 6 days after wounding. Wound s on control dogs were injected with physiologic saline solution. Usin g planimetric measurements at 0, 3, 6, 14, and 21 days, rates of heali ng were evaluated. Biopsy of the digital pad wounds at 3, 6, and 14 da ys was used to evaluate collagen content by hydroxyproline analysis. B iopsy specimens were also evaluated for type-I and type-III collagen, using Sirius red differential staining. Results-Effect on healing rate and hydroxyproline content was best during the first week for immunos timulant. Immunostimulant- and TCC-injected wounds had more type-I col lagen than did controls at 6 days; TCC-injected wounds had the most ty pe-I collagen. Al 14 days, the amount of type-I collagen in TCC-inject ed wounds was significantly greater than that in other wounds. Conclus ions-Tested medications had positive effects on healing of pad wounds. Clinical Relevance-lntralesional injection of medications helps ensur e their presence for enhancement of wound healing. The benefit could b e lost with topical use in a bandage if the bandage is lost or becomes wet.