Tag Archive for: Amnion

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How to Treat Bite Wounds in Dogs

Small dog on a vet’s tableBite wounds are one of the most common reasons dogs see their veterinarians. If a dog is bitten or gets into a fight with another dog, this is what needs to happen first:

  1. As the dog’s owner, stay calm. Panic will only make the situation worse.
  2. Don’t get between your dog and the other dog(s) to break up the fight. You could also get bit in the process.
  3. Focus on getting your dog away from the other dog. A loud clap or another distracting sound may help get your dog’s attention so you can call or signal him to you.
  4. Don’t scream at the other dog, as this could make the situation feel even more threatening to the dogs.
  5. Ask the other dog owner (if present) if their dog is up to date on their vaccines. If the pet owner isn’t present or the other dog involved is a stray, try to get pictures at the very least.
  6. Once your dog is safely away from the dog who bit him, contact your vet immediately or head to your nearest emergency animal hospital.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Biting is often part of play for puppies. In adult dogs, multiple motives or causes for biting can stem from competitive issues or reactions to perceived threats. Additionally, several factors influence the severity of a dog bite and the health risk it can pose to a pet. This is why seeing your veterinarian as quickly as possible after your dog has experienced a bite is a good idea.

Treating Bite Wounds in Dogs

Dog bites can cause significant injury to the skin and soft tissues. A dog’s teeth and jaws are powerful; a bite wound can result in torn muscles and skin. Not all bite wounds are big, though. Just because a bite wound is small doesn’t mean it isn’t a cause for concern. Minor bites can heal themselves quickly but, in doing so, can trap bacteria in the wound that can result in an abscess.

Infections are the primary concern for any dog bite, but other serious issues can develop if not treated properly. Typically, a vet will examine and thoroughly clean the bite wound and then provide a broad-spectrum antibiotic to help fight infection and prevent further complications with the wound site. Or, the vet can use Vetrix’s Healion Amniotic Wound Matrix as part of their patient’s bite wound treatment plan. 

Healion is a decellularized amniotic membrane supplied in fine, dry, sterilized white powder form for veterinary use. Healion amniotic wound matrix leverages the natural healing properties of the amnion to modulate inflammation and create an environment conducive to rapid cell migration.

You apply it to the wound site and appropriately bandage it to create a sterile healing environment. The bite should be re-examined every 4-5 days, and a single application is usually sufficient.

How To Help A Dog Heal After A Bite

As a vet, your priority is preventing your patient’s bite wound from getting infected. Start treating bite wounds with a fast and effective treatment option that makes patients and clients happy. Add Healion to your medical toolkit today. Order now.

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KCS in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and More

amniotic eye dropsKeratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), often referred to as dry eye, is inflammation of the cornea and surrounding tissues due to inadequate production of tears. Tears are necessary to lubricate the cornea and remove debris or any infectious agents that come in contact with the eye. The tear film is a mixture of mucus, fatty liquid, and water.

Symptoms of KCS in Dogs

Most dogs with KCS will have painful, red, irritated eyes. Squinting and excessive blinking often signal a dog’s mom or dad to get their pet to a veterinary professional for treatment. Additionally, KCS often includes symptoms of thick, yellowish mucous discharge due to the lack of the watery component of the tear film. Corneal ulceration may also be present.

Patients with chronic cases of KCS often present with a history of conjunctivitis, eye injuries, and ulcers. Corneal scarring, hyperpigmentation, usually occurs with cases of KCS and looks like a dark film covering the dog’s eye.

Is A Dog More Likely to Contract KCS Because of Their Breed?

KCS most commonly affects middle-aged to older dogs. It’s more likely to be seen in the following breeds:

  • American Cocker Spaniel
  • Bloodhound
  • Boston Terrier
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • English Bulldog
  • English Springer Spaniel
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Miniature Schnauzer
  • Pekingese
  • Pug
  • Samoyed
  • Shih Tzu
  • Yorkshire Terrier

Both eyes are typically affected in dogs with KCS, but one eye may appear worse.

Treatment of KCS in Dogs

There are two main objectives when treating KCS in dogs:

  • Stimulate tear production
  • Replace the tear film and protect the cornea

Tear film replacement and tear production stimulants are often used in combination first. However, Veterinarians manage most KCS cases in dogs with a combination of tear stimulants, tear substitutes, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories. Surgery for KCS is reserved for dogs who do not respond to medication and are experiencing persistent pain. Secondary bacterial conjunctivitis is common in dogs with KCS due to debris accumulation and a lack of natural antimicrobial tear properties. Additionally, patients often experience much discomfort and pain with KCS and the ulceration that often accompanies it. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic combinations are helpful for improving comfort and diminishing corneal opacities.

Vetrix created a solution for veterinarians, EyeQ Amniotic Eye Drops, to deliver natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory components alongside traditional therapies when treating KCS. EyeQ is an easy-to-use, non-surgical option for treating corneal defects and ulcers and keeping a dog as comfortable as possible throughout treatment. What’s more, EyeQ allows easy administration for veterinarians and dog owners alike. The medicine comes in a convenient dropper bottle and is available to veterinary professionals in 6-pack, 12-pack, and 24-pack options.

Provide The Best Care for Your Dog

Getting attached to dogs you see regularly (even if they aren’t your dog) is easy. We can all agree that when it comes to treating dogs with KCS, all we want is for the animal to get better. If you’re a Vet who intends to provide the best care for the KCS and ulcer cases you see in dogs, try out a 6-pack of EyeQ for yourself. If you’re not completely satisfied, Vetrix will work with you to return your purchase.

Order Now

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Corneal Uclers in Pets: Symptoms, Treatment & More

Eye Drops for Pets

The cornea, which is transparent in normal conditions, covers the front part of the eye and allows light to pass into the eye. The eyelids cover the cornea to protect it from trauma and help spread tears (essential to corneal health). Most corneal ulcers in pets result from trauma, such as scratches, dry eye, eyelid anomalies, or abrasions due to foreign objects in the eye.

Corneal Ulcer Symptoms

A corneal ulcer is an open wound within the cornea. Ulcers are painful for pets; most heal within a week if appropriately treated. However, if a corneal ulcer becomes infected, it can quickly turn into a deep wound. The most common symptoms of corneal ulcers to watch for in pets include the following:

  • Squinting
  • Redness
  • Ocular discharge
  • Excessive Blinking
  • Excessive tears
  • Swelling
  • The eye appears cloudy

If the ulcer results from a tear deficiency, you may see a thick discharge resembling mucous that ranges from transparent to white, green, or yellow. If you are a cat parent, a dog parent, or a veterinarian who wants to provide helpful materials to your patients of specific pets, please read the following information:

Corneal Ulcer Diagnosis

Any of the signs mentioned above should prompt pet parents to make an appointment with their veterinarian. The vet will use several diagnostic methods at the appointment to accurately diagnose the ulcer. Once the affected eye (or eyes) are examined, your vet will discuss the best possible treatment plan.

Corneal Ulcer Treatment

How a pet’s corneal ulcer is treated is determined by the type of animal in need of treatment and the type of ulcer they are being treated for. Treating corneal ulcers properly from the start is crucial to ensuring a pet’s comfort and healing without further complications or damage to its vision. Mild corneal ulcers will usually heal on their own in 3-7 days, depending on the size of the ulcer. While healing, vets may recommend a treatment plan to prevent further damage or cornea infections. 

Here are common treatments used to treat corneal ulcers in pets:

  • Antibiotic eye drops or ointments to prevent infections
  • Pain medication to keep your pet comfortable
  • An E-collar to prevent your pet from rubbing and allow the cornea to heal properly
  • Regenerative eye drops 

Regenerative eye drops, like Vetrix EyeQ Eye Drops, are a simple way to provide regenerative care for a pet’s eye. Regenerative medicine works with the body’s natural abilities to heal itself. EyeQ Eye Drops deliver natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory components to aid in healing corneal ulcers in pets. 

As part of the healing process, a follow-up care plan must be issued and adhered to by the patient. Pets should continue treatment with all prescribed medications until a veterinarian says the ulcer has fully healed.

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What is Veterinary Regenerative Medicine?

eye drops for petsVeterinary regenerative medicine started in the mid-1990s when bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were used to treat tendon injuries in horses. Over the last 30 years, veterinarians have made significant advances in developing medications for animals using regenerative medicine to treat a variety of diseases. But before we get into what you can treat with veterinary regenerative medicine, we want to ensure that all readers understand what veterinary regenerative medicine is.

According to the FDA, “Veterinary regenerative medicine is an active area of research for developing new cell and tissue therapies for animals. Such therapies are called animal cells, tissues, and cell-and-tissue based products, or ACTPs for short.”

ACTPs refer to products used in animals that contain, consist of, or derive from cells or tissues. Some terms you may hear associated with this include:

  • Stem Cells (SCT)
  • Differentiated cells
  • Tissues such as blood
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
  • Amnion

Regenerative veterinary therapies elicit a therapeutic response that stimulates healing in tissues. They are used to home in on sites and rejuvenate damaged tissue. Regenerative therapies are also helpful in combating pain in dogs with orthopedic injuries.

What Can You Treat With Veterinary Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine is recommended as a primary treatment for specific conditions or used jointly with surgical procedures. At Vetrix, we provide products that harness the natural capabilities of the patient’s existing cells by providing a biological scaffold into which progenitor cells embed. Once the patient’s cells have migrated into the native scaffolding, the cells lay down their extracellular matrix which, in turn, shares signals to differentiate into the appropriate tissue. With this site-specific healing capability, Vetrix® can fully regenerate tissue ranging from:

  • Skin
  • Muscular defects
  • Intestinal lining
  • And others

Our regenerative veterinary solutions are also helpful for the following:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neurology
  • Surgical Applications
  • Oncology
  • Wound management

One of our most popular products is BioSIS ECM Technology. BioSIS provides a natural scaffold that works with and encourages your patient’s (pet’s) natural healing process. A few typical surgical applications you can use BioSIS for include:

  • Gastrointestinal soft tissue repair
  • Thoracic wall repair
  • Body wall and hernia repair
  • Degloving injuries
  • Mass removals
  • Alternative to skin grafts

Learn more about Vetrix BioSIS Technology.

 

Additionally, Vetrix also provides veterinarians with another regenerative medicine to treat wounds. Healion Amniotic Wound Matrix is a regenerative option that utilizes the natural healing properties of amnion to treat patients with severe wounds. Click here to learn more.

 

Vetrix® is the leading provider of veterinary regenerative medicine. As a world supplier of innovative veterinary products, we enable veterinarians to provide exceptional treatment for their patients.

We’re always happy to answer questions about our products, what we do, and how we do it. Contact us today if you’re a veterinarian interested in using regenerative medicine in your patient treatment plans. Contact Vetrix.

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Dr. Herrington- August’s Featured Case

August 2018

This months’ case comes to us from Dr. Mike Herrington DVM. He leverages Healion, Vetrix’s amnion wound particulate to close a mass removal.

Dr. Herrington practices at Englewood Animal Health Center in Englewood, FL. Read below to learn why he used Healion and his results utilizing this technology.

Case background: “Gracie is a 6yr old F/S Boxer mix who presented for removal of about a 1.5cm dermal mass on the dorsal mid shaft R forelimb. The mass removal was the easy part, but closure was difficult. The mass was directly over the cephalic vein, so I did not want to leave it open. I had to undermine completely around the circumference of the leg and make about 2 dozen mesh incisions, as well subQ anchors just to get the skin apposed. Even so it was tight, so I splinted it and applied a modified Robert Jones bandage. I performed daily wet-dry bandage changes, using Entederm (nystatin-neomycin-triamcinolone) ointment, mainly for the anti-inflammatory properties. The skin just didn’t stretch as much as I was hoping, and the cephalic vein was being compressed, so her foot became edematous and the skin around the incision is showing some focalized necrosis. On April 7th I made 2 releasing incisions under bupivicaine, taking great care to leave the cephalic vein covered. I was able to massage a good amount of the edema out. I replaced the splint & bandage, this time switching to silvadene cream. She is also on carprofen and cephalexin orally BID.” – Dr. Herrington

Initial Healion Application

Healion was initially applied on 4/11/18, 8 days after surgery, to the releasing incision sites. Gracie got her bandage off 3 days later and licked the Healion off the wound.

Reapplying Healion

Healion was reapplied per suggestion from Vetrix on 4/16/18. No further complications occurred.

4 Days Post Second Application

Healing proceeded well, a healthy granulation bed formed by 4/19/18. The splint was removed from the bandage on 4/20/18 (4 days post Healion application), with Gracie able to fully bear weight on the affected leg.

5/4/2018 (18 Days post Healion application)

Bandaging was maintained to protect the healing wound.

5/14/2018 (28 days post Healion application)

Epithelialization proceeded well, and was complete on 5/14/18. Carprofen and cephalexin therapy was maintained until 5/14/18.

Know someone who could benefit from these treatments? Send them our way and ask about our new customer referral program!

Do you have a case that you would like featured? Contact us and let us know!

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