How to keep a pet's large, exposed wound clean and covered safely?

Question

Pet had skin die off, back rt foot (after severe abscess in back rt hip threatened amputate) Vet removed dead, new skin growth underneath. This left atleast 50% of exposed flesh, the other has new skin growth. Antibiocs & cleaning w/chlorhexidine 2xs a day.(metacam 1x day for 2 day.)With cleaning and limited mobility still seems impossible to keep clean, constantly finding dirt/debris, misc stuck to raw skin. Is there a safe way to cover wound while also letting it breathe for healing purposes? Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 3 months and 11 days old | 3.1 lbs

Jessica Desrosiers · Accepted Answer

Ouch! In some cases where wounds are on areas that can't be closed by suturing or are constantly being agitated, keeping the wound covered to prevent increasing infection/debris from entering the wound may be needed. I've seen success with using manuka honey for treating large infected wounds and increasing healing, (usually with bandage changes every 12-24 hours) as well as using hydrocolloid bandages that protect the area by acting as a sort of skin barrier, allowing the wound to breathe but continue to heal/allow for new tissue growth underneath without allowing debris into it. There is also progress being made with using fish-skin bandages to create another fake skin barrier and allow healing underneath. If you're not currently, I'd recommend speaking with a veterinary dermatologist who can better instruct you in these procedures and monitor progress over time.

How to keep a pet's large, exposed wound clean and covered safely?

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