Management of surgical wound dehiscence by oxygen-ozone therapy in a FIV-positive cat – a case report

Abstract

Patients infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are frequently victims of postoperative wound dehiscence due to low efficiency of the immune system that predisposes to delayed scaring and epithelization processes. This case report aimed to describe the successful use of medical ozone in the treatment of a dehisced wound in a feline patient that presented this type of FIV-associated complication. Here we present a case of a 12-year-old, mixedbreed, male, FIV-positive cat with purulent arthritis affecting the shoulder, elbow, and the carpal joints with subsequent periostitis and arthrogryposis affecting the right forelimb. After a thorough investigation (clinical examination, X-rays) it was decided that limb amputation would be the proper choice. The surgical wound did not tend to heal, followed by rejection of the suture material, skin necrosis, and wound dehiscence. After 13 days following the surgery with allopathic treatment and no improvement, oxygen-ozone-therapy was started. Clinically, oxygen-ozone therapy showed significant results after the first session: borders of the wound got into the contraction phase, got attached to the underlying tissues, and exudates were significantly diminished. The therapy continued every 2 days showing improved blood perfusion of the affected area and a visible advancement of the contraction phase daily with complete healing