The Ultimate Trauma – Big Dog – Little Dog

Little dogs presenting with bite wounds inflicted by larger dogs can be exceedingly challenging to manage. Appropriate wound care provided in a timely manner can help prevent morbidity and mortality. The seriousness of wounds should not be underestimated and in many cases aggressive surgical treatment is indicated as soon as the patient is cardiovascularly stable. In some situations the patient may never become cardiovascularly stable without surgery. Secondary problems with wound healing and patient morbidity may relate to inappropriate wound handling during the initial stages. Problems with sepsis secondary to wounds come from inadequate debridement of necrotic tissue, insufficient irrigation, inappropriate choice of antibiotics and inadequate resuscitation ...