Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine management of a chronic non-healing postoperative wound in a dog: A case report

Chronic non-healing wounds are postoperative complications that can create significant challenges in canine surgical practice. This article reports the case of a 7-year-old male German Shepherd dog with a 3-year history of a cutaneous nodule, which started to enlarge 2 months prior to clinic presentation. It was biopsied and diagnosed as a benign funnel-shaped keratoacanthoma. Following surgical excision, the dog developed a chronic non-healing postoperative wound that had been present for approximately 4 weeks prior to traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) evaluation. At presentation, the dog was thin, depressed and had a painful, edematous wound with purulent exudate and necrotic tissue. Laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis, neutrophilia, increased whole blood viscosity, prolonged erythrocyte electrophoresis time, and an increased canine C-reactive protein concentration. The TCVM examination revealed a pale tongue with a thick, greasy coating and a slippery, rapid pulse. The patient was diagnosed with Spleen Qi Deficiency with Damp-Heat and Blood Stasis. Treatment principles included tonifying Spleen Qi, clearing Heat, resolving Damp, activating Blood, and resolving Stasis to promote healthy granulation tissue formation and wound healing. Treatment consisted of orally administered and topically applied Chinese herbal medicines. After 16 days, the wound was markedly improved, with resolution of necrosis and inflammation, along with development of healthy granulation tissue. Complete wound closure, normal scar formation, and progressive hair regrowth were observed by 30 days. This case suggests that combined oral and topical Chinese herbal medicines may be a useful complementary treatment option for selected dogs with similar difficult-to-heal postoperative wounds.