The Efficiency of the Natural Collagen Coating in the Treatment of Extensive Chronic Defects of the Skin and Surrounding Tissues in Dogs

Abstract The occurrence of extensive non-healing and chronic skin defects with loss of tissue substance in companion animals are a frequently solved problem. The management of the therapy of large-area defects and absent tissues is a challenge for setting up successful therapeutic management and achieving wound closure, satisfactory cosmetic effect, and restoration of the functionality of the damaged area. In veterinary medicine, we often encounter the failure of wound therapy methods commonly used in closing defects, as a result of which the defect closure time is prolonged. The longer the time required to close the defect, the greater the risk of microbial infection and complications associated with healing in the case of extensive damage to the surrounding soft tissues. Direct influence of the individual phases of healing with supportive alternative therapy appears to be a very suitable solution for the treatment of chronic wounds. To overcome the shortcomings related to partially efficient conventional wound dressings, efforts are oriented toward developing new and effective platforms for wound healing applications. Five patients referred to the Small Animal Clinic of the University Veterinary Hospital were included in this clinical study. Patients were referred to the clinic with extensive long-term non-healing wounds, necrosis and secernation, or ongoing infection, with loss of tissue substance, which showed signs of chronicity. After assessing the patient’s state of health and subsequent cleaning of the wound bed from contaminants and damaged tissues, collagen sponge Suprasorb® C was applied to the surface of the cleaned wound bed. The average time for the complete closure of the defect was 24.6 days since the introduction of the primary treatment. In all patients, we observed the complete closure of the defect, restoration of functionality of the damaged tissues, and achievement of a cosmetic effect without complications in the recovery process, which points to the excellent effectiveness of the collagen covering in the wound healing process.