Tag Archive for: Healing

Revolutionizing Veterinary Wound Care with Healion: A Case Study in Regenerative Medicine

In the ever-evolving field of veterinary medicine, innovative products like Healion Amniotic Wound Matrix are setting new standards for wound healing. By utilizing the powerful properties of amnion, Healion provides veterinarians with a reliable and effective tool for treating complex wounds, enhancing the natural healing process. This blog post will explore the remarkable healing journey of a turtle, showcasing the benefits of Healion in veterinary wound care.

The Role of Amnion in Regenerative Medicine

Amnion, the innermost layer of the placenta, is packed with growth factors, anti-inflammatory properties, and essential proteins that are crucial in wound healing. The Healion Amniotic Wound Matrix, derived from this unique tissue, is delivered in a powdered form, making it easy to apply. This product promotes rapid tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and provides a bioscaffold for new cells to grow, making it an invaluable solution in regenerative medicine.

Case Study: A Turtle’s Fast-Track to Recovery

Dr. Garry Innocent, a veterinarian at All Species 24hr Clinic in Alpharetta, GA, encountered an exotic patient with a severe head injury. The turtle had been scalped, leaving no tissue to facilitate traditional wound closure. Faced with this daunting challenge, Dr. Innocent turned to Healion Amniotic Wound Matrix.

Within 24-36 hours of applying Healion, the results were nothing short of extraordinary. The wound began healing rapidly, showing organized, healthy tissue growth. Dr. Innocent expressed his satisfaction, noting that Healion was simple to apply and did not lead to further complications, unlike traditional wound treatments which sometimes cause additional trauma.

For a case where minimal tissue was available and the delicate nature of the patient complicated suturing, Healion’s trauma-free application was the perfect solution. The turtle’s speedy recovery demonstrates the effectiveness of this regenerative wound care tool across different species.

Why Healion Is Essential for Veterinarians

Healion’s amnion-based matrix provides a safe, versatile, and easy-to-use solution for a wide range of wound types, including surgical wounds, trauma injuries, and ulcers. Its unique properties not only accelerate healing but also minimize scarring, making it a preferred choice in complex cases where traditional methods fall short.

The ability to promote natural tissue regeneration without causing additional trauma makes Healion indispensable for treating patients where suturing isn’t viable or safe. Additionally, its application is simple, reducing the stress for both veterinarian and patient, whether treating small, exotic animals or common household pets.

Conclusion

Healion Amniotic Wound Matrix is revolutionizing the way veterinarians approach wound healing. By leveraging the regenerative properties of amnion, it offers an effective solution for complex wounds that are difficult to close or heal. In the case of Dr. Innocent’s turtle, Healion proved its ability to facilitate fast, trauma-free healing in a delicate patient, underscoring its versatility and power as a regenerative medicine product. For veterinarians seeking reliable and advanced wound care options, Healion is a must-have in the medical toolkit.

polypropylene meshAccording to the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology, spinal tumors in dogs are uncommon, but when they do happen, 90% of spinal tumors occur in large-breed dogs. Meningioma is the most common and presents most often in the cervical spinal cord. Regardless of the type of spinal tumor a veterinarian may face treating at some point in their career, it’s always best to be prepared. Recommending the best treatment plan for a dog with a spinal tumor diagnosis is critical, as spinal tumors are slow-growing and may need more time to respond to treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Tumors

Signs and symptoms of spinal tumors that dog owners may notice that require an immediate examination by a veterinarian include:

  • Changes in movement
  • Changes in coordination
  • Limb weakness
  • Neurological changes
  • Pain

These signs can include lethargy, difficulty getting up and down, dragging limbs or limping, depression, decreased appetite, or difficulty going potty. If a dog presents with any of the above symptoms, a vet may order some diagnostic tests for spinal tumors, such as:

  • CT Scan
  • MRI
  • Ultrasound
  • Chest X-ray
  • Bloodwork
  • Urinalysis
  • Biopsy

Spinal Tumor Treatment Options

A spinal tumor diagnosis can be frightening, but many treatment options are available for dogs today. The tumor type, location, and grade determine the best course of treatment, but these are the most common ways to help dogs with a spinal tumor diagnosis:

Surgery

Surgery for a spinal tumor can be complicated based on the tumor’s location. However, regarding veterinary neurologist technologies, Vetrix is an industry leader. Vetrix BioSIS for neurology is a platform technology that can be used for several surgical applications, including as a dural graft for spinal surgeries and spinal tumor surgeries. When used for these applications, the contact between BioSIS and the surrounding tissue allows cells to migrate, separate, and differentiate within the bio-scaffold. This matrix is easy to handle and simple to use but strong enough to hold sutures and support weakened tissue. If the tumor can be removed without impacting the functionality of the spinal cord, surgery is an excellent treatment option.

Chemotherapy

Chemo treats spinal tumors in dogs that have already spread or are at high risk for spread. Veterinarians make specific and informed recommendations based on the tumor type.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may be used alone or with surgery as part of a dog’s spinal tumor treatment plan. Again, this recommendation will be specific to a dog’s tumor type.

Palliative Therapy

Palliative therapy includes things like antibiotics and painkillers that help maintain a dog’s quality of life but does nothing to slow the progression of the spinal tumor. Palliative therapy is meant to keep a dog comfortable when no other treatment options are available or have been exhausted.

Spinal Tumor Prognosis

As with any cancer, the prognosis varies by case, type, and tumor location. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances treatment will be successful. It also helps to have the best veterinary science technology and tools at your fingertips. 

For more information on any Vetrix technologies, contact us with your questions.

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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