Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Mammary gland neoplasia is one of the most common diseases in the bitch and the most common neoplastic disease. More than 13 % of the female dog population in Sweden suffers from mammary tumors during their lifetime. The disease can affect bitches in all ages but most often middle aged and older dogs. Some breeds such as Poodle and English Setter are predisposed for the disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if it is possible to improve the post surgical healing process by using a pressure pad. The hypothesis was that pressure pads would improve wound healing by decreasing dead space and increasing tissue adhesion. The study was performed at Södra Djursjukhuset in Stockholm and at the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences in Uppsala.

The animals in the study were divided into three groups. One group without pressure pad, one group with pressure pad applied during one day, and one group with pressure pad for two days. The wound healing, based on five criteria was evaluated post surgically on a daily basis.

Dogs that had had pressure pads applied for two days, seemed to develop fewer signs of inflammation than the other two groups. Swelling and tissue hyperemia were two to three times more common in dogs without pressure pads. No problems with seroma formation could be detected in dogs with pressure pads for two days.

More extensive studies need to be performed, but this study indicates that pressure pads substantially decrease the risk for wound complications after mastectomies in bitches.