Marley, crossbreed with infected snake bite wound

SPECIES: dog
BREED: crossbreed (Rhodesian Ridgeback cross)
GENDER: sterilised female
AGE: 2 years
NAME: Marley

Clinical case:
Marley arrived at the clinic with a chest wound caused by a rattlesnake bite (Sistrurus miliarius). She had been taken to the vet emergency room a week beforehand for first aid after the bite.
Marley’s clinical examination revealed an extended wound in the ventrocranial region of the chest with flatted and compacted subcutaneous tissue, exudation and a strong smell. Part of the wound was necrotic and there was tissue deterioration around the bite due to the venom.

Therapy:

• Surgical curettage of the wound to remove necrotic tissues and wedge resection on the edges.
• Betadine washes and MLS^® Laser Therapy to fight the infection and inflammation.
• Bandage with application of silver sulfadiazine cream.

After the 11^th MLS^® Laser Therapy session, the wound is less deep, with good granulation tissue and clearly smaller dimensions.
On the basis of this clinical situation, Marley underwent further surgical curettage and a partial closure of the wound to improve the situation and accelerate healing time.
After surgical intervention, which enabled a partial closure of the wound, Marley undertakes her last 4 laser sessions.

Results achieved:
Marley’s wound began improving from the first MLS^® Laser Therapy sessions. Skin and tissue regeneration progressed very well, with an increase in the healing speed after suturing the wound.

Courtesy of Tammie Hodge DVM, River Mill Animal Hospital - Florida, USA & ASAlaser distributor Cutting Edge Laser Technologies

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