Wound Care: Severe Burns

By: Grayson Cole, DVM, DACVS, CCRP

Signalment:

Approximately 1-year-old intact female poodle mix

History:

Ember was in an apartment fire one week prior to presentation. The emergency clinic shaved over a pound of matted fur off of her and cleaned the burn wounds. They ran blood work which revealed anemia (26%), hypoalbuminemia (2.2) and elevated ALT and ALP at 166 and >2000 respectively. She was also heartworm positive. The remainder of the blood work was unremarkable. She was discharged with Denamarin, Gabapentin, Clavamox and SSD cream. Presented to GCVS Emergency due to concern for oozing of wounds and inappetence. No other known history, original owner surrendered her after the fire.

Physical Exam:

Depressed but responsive BCS 2/9
Necrotic skin from the forehead to the tail base- approximately 30% of her total body surface area
(Rule of 9s of total body surface area: Each forelimb 9% Each hind limb 18% Head and Neck 9% Dorsal trunk 18% Ventral trunk 18%)

Diagnostics:

Thoracic radiographs were performed due to concern for smoke inhalation injury and were unremarkable

Surgical Plan:

Debridement until there is no new necrosis, followed by skin grafting

Adjunctive Therapy:

10 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen, NG tube with Vivonex supplementation, fluid therapy with electrolyte monitoring, antibiotic and analgesic treatment as well as oral iron supplementation

Pathophysiology:

Potential consequences of burns encompassing more than 20% surface area:

• Hypovolemic shock
• RBC destruction
• Myocardial depression, arrhythmias, heart failure
• Pneumonitis and acute respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia
• Immunosuppression and/or sepsis
• Acid base and electrolyte disturbances
• Hepatic and/or renal failure, adrenal insufficiency
• Gastrointestinal increase in permeability or ulceration

Hyperbaric Oxygen:

• Therapeutic use of oxygen inhaled inside a chamber pressurized above atmospheric pressure
• Purported benefits:
  • Increased plasma oxygen allows tissues to use oxygen not bound to hemoglobin (helpful in patients with anemia or carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Tissue hyperoxia improves collagen formation and angiogenesis
  • Relief of oxidative stress
• Contraindications:
  • Pneumothorax, pulmonary blebs/bulla, upper respiratory infection, emphysema
  • Caution with seizure history and anxiety
• Possible complications:
  • Pneumothorax
  • Middle ear trauma
  • Seizures
  • Oxygen toxicity
  • Chamber explosion

Outcome:

In-patient therapy until day 9 with once daily HBOT starting day 3, then outpatient therapy with daily HBOT with the exception of Sundays for a total of 10 treatments. All necrotic tissue debrided by day 22 post treatment. Skin grafting delayed for an additional month due to financial constraints (left pinna removed as used as a free graft)- all bloodwork abnormalities resolved by the time of grafting. Continued open wound management until day 100 post treatment when she returned to normal activity

Day 19 (after last HBOT)

Day 100

Ember had an amazing holiday season and new year!