The use of a novel nitric oxide wound dressing in acute traumatic wounds in dogs.

Objective: To describe the use of a novel wound dressing that delivers nitric oxide (NO) to naturally occurring traumatic wounds in dogs.

Animals: 24 client-owned dogs with 30 wounds.

Methods: Dogs were presented with acute traumatic wounds requiring open wound management. Wounds were bandaged with a novel NO wound dressing and reassessed as needed for continued open wound management until wounds healed by second intention or wound closure was recommended. Dogs could be removed from the study at any point at the clinician's discretion.

Results: All wounds had the novel NO wound dressing used during open wound management until wound closure was recommended. Median time to wound closure was 6 days (range, 2 to 42). There were no complications directly attributed to the use of the novel wound dressing that clinically affected the dogs. Three wounds dehisced following wound closure. Wound healing was confirmed in 19 dogs with 25 wounds, with 3 dogs lost to follow-up prior to suture removal. Only 7.1% of wounds had clinical signs consistent with wound infection following wound closure.

Clinical relevance: The novel NO wound dressing was easy to use and well tolerated in dogs with naturally occurring traumatic wounds. It can be used throughout all phases of wound healing, simplifying open wound management.