canis - Articles
Skin: burn / scald
Introduction
- Cause:
- Chemical.
- Electrical current.
- Solar and microwave radiation.
- Thermal (flames, hot materials and liquids).
- Signs: necrosis and coagulation of tissues. Severity depends on depth of damage.
- Diagnosis: history, signs.
- Treatment: wound management, fluid therapy, antimicrobials. Surgical resection may be necessary.
- Prognosis: good unless burn is deep and extensive.
Presenting signs
- Pain -> hard, dry skin -> erosion/ulceration and sepsis -> necrosis of tissue.
- Sometimes signs are insidious.
- Presentation may be at a time distant from the incident.
- In some cases alopecia or change in coat color + scarring may be the only signs.
Acute presentation
- Pain and hard/dry skin.
Geographic incidence
- Solar damage in sunny climates.
- Wind exposure may increase incidence as animal feels cooler and therefore spends more time in hot conditions.
Age predisposition
- Old and debilitated at risk.
Breed/Species predisposition
- White Bull Terriers may sunbathe on their backs, exposing poorly haired skin.
Cost considerations
- Management of severe burns may require lengthy and costly treatment.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Chemicals - especially concentrated bleach, caustics, acids, disinfectants, etc.
- Electric current Electrocution.
- Solar or microwave radiation.
- Flames; hot metal or liquids.
Predisposing factors
General- Debility.
Specific
- Exposure to source of heat, radiation or electric current.
- If in toxic shock, eg under surgery for pyometra, may be more susceptible to thermal injury - need care with heated pad, even if thermostatically controlled.
- Alopecia increases risk of solar damage especially nasal and flank/dorsal alopecia.
Pathophysiology
- Chemical/electrical/thermal injury to surface of skin -> necrosis of epidermis and deeper tissues.
- Damage proportional to:
- Length of exposure and temperature in thermal injury.
- Concentration of chemical.
- Coagulation necrosis of epidermis and deeper tissues.
- Partial thickness → damage to epidermis only - may heal without scarring if appropriate therapy is given.
- Full thickness → all skin structures are destroyed, including innervation and adnexae (especially hair follicles). Resultant scar tissue will be insensitive and alopecic.
- Leads to necrosis -> fluid loss and sepsis -> death.
Timecourse
- Damage may be instantaneous; extent may take time to tell.
- A partial thickness burn may be extended to a full thickness injury if sepsis occurs.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Joubert K (1998) Ketamine hydrochloride - an adjunct for analgesia in dogs with burn wounds. J S Afr Vet Assoc 69 (3), 95-97 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Piscopo S (1999)Thermal Burns.Vet Forum. pp 36-48.