Has anyone experience with wound dressing studies conducted with rats? Is there any established protocol? The first thing we wonder how we manage to keep the dressing stable on the dorsal side of animals troughout the experiment? Is there any suggestion? We come up the idea of using Tegaderm covers but not sure about animals reaction to these covers.
Secondly, should we change the dressing in specified time intervals or single application should be examined?
Thanks in advance.
If the wound is sufficiently sterilized then a single applications should be sufficient. However, many pharmacology papers have done research in this area.
I can try have a look and get back to you.
This is what I do to human wounds: clean with hibiclens wash, starting from center and moving outwards (on clean or sterilized gauze pads). Then clean center of wound with saline to remove hibiclens as it can impair wound healing (also using a gauze pad). Then apply vasaline/petrolatum to telfa non-stick pad (smearing it all over the telfa with a clean glove) and place greasy pad on wound. As your animals probably have hair, paper tape or hypafix probably won't stay in place, therefore, I would consider wrapping their bellies with Koban. This can be changed every 3 days.
I think some more information may be necessary. What is the size of the wound? What is the nature of the wound? What is the position? How are they housed? You can use stitches, staples, medical crazy glue (I forget the name brand). I think depending on the size of the rats, I think I have heard of collars being used to keep them from scratching or biting at the wound site. If multiple rats are being housed together, there is no way to keep them from chewing on each others' wounds.
The size of the wound is 1.5 x 1.5 cm, it will be on the dorsal side of rats (close to neck). The wound will be full-thickness wound and the rats will be housed separately.
Thank you for your suggestion Jasom. I will check your recommendations.
What kind of wound is this? You can email me if you wish to keep it private. We used to do some procedures with full thickness wounds that would just be kept open as we were modeling human cases. Some kind of pain medication may be necessary to prevent pain stress.
Dear Selami,
The collagenase ointment can help. Avoid one or more layers of gauze because it does not protect against the entry of microorganisms. Ideally a dressing in the form of hydrogel because it helps to leave the humid place. This is very important for the process of tissue repair. I have a patent of my master's thesis on a bacterial cellulose hydrogel with collagen that in the 15 days period the injury is already completely closed. It is not yet on the market. Another tip would be, not put covers over the dressing, because when they are removed for exchange, many cells are removed.
If you want to stabilize your wound dressing in wound area then you can use medicated gauze to hold it properly. I f necessary you can change the gauze after 2 days..
If the wound is not too high on the neck, you could get yourself some infusion jackets, they could secure your dressing and keep the rat from getting at it.
Dear Esteemed Colleague,
Greetings. I trust this message finds you well and actively engaged in your veterinary or biomedical research endeavors, particularly those involving the care and management of wounds in animal models. The selection and application of appropriate wound dressings in animals are paramount for promoting effective healing, minimizing infection risk, and ensuring the overall well-being of the subject. Below, I provide a comprehensive guide on considerations and recommendations for the usage of wound dressings in animals.
Overview of Wound Dressing in Animals
The primary objectives of wound dressing in animals include protecting the wound from contamination, absorbing exudate, maintaining a moist healing environment, and allowing for gas exchange. The choice of dressing depends on the wound's nature (acute vs. chronic), location, size, and the animal's species.
Considerations for Wound Dressing Selection
Recommendations for Wound Dressing Usage
Conclusion
The effective management of wounds in animals through the judicious use of dressings plays a critical role in promoting optimal healing outcomes. By adhering to the guidelines outlined above and staying informed about the latest advancements in wound care products and techniques, you can significantly contribute to the health and recovery of animal subjects in your care.
Should you have any further questions or require assistance with specific wound care challenges, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to support your endeavors in animal care and research.
Warm regards.
This protocol list might provide further insights to address this issue.
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