A Yorkshire vet has successfully healed an ageing dog’s gaping wound by expertly using an innovative healing system rather than resorting to a skin graft.

Miniature schnauzer Ted was left with a 6x5cm open wound to his leg after surgery to remove a rapidly growing soft tissue sarcoma on his achilles tendon.

Normally, further surgery would have been required to heal the affected area but vet Michael Shewring decided the innovative BioSIS wound management system was a better option.

Michael, from Linnaeus-owned Calder Vets in Penistone, even captured Ted’s remarkable recovery with a series of amazing photographs throughout the eight-week process.

Michael explained: “Ted’s problem was that this was not just a large tumour but it was the type of tumour which demanded wide margins around it for it to be completely removed.

“The result was he was left with a large wound to cover and all surgical options would have involved a second surgery to repair the skin, either a skin graft or a genicular axial pattern flap, which has a 50 per cent failure rate.

“A skin graft would have been difficult as there was no capacity to easily move the skin to the wound.

“The other problem was the wound was too far down the leg for familiar skin graft techniques to succeed and the resulting scar tissue would have been uncomfortable and left a permanent lameness.

“That’s why I opted to use a BioSIS bioscaffold system. Its unique feature is that new skin is developed, complete with hair, at the surgical site rather than problematic scar tissue.

“The procedure uses a porcine collagen scaffold membrane to allow migration of skin cells and stem cells into the area of the wound.

“Technically, it’s a straightforward process. I used a multi-layered collage sheet covered in Carbomer gel which was pressed up against the deep tissue with soaked swabs.

“Renofoam was then placed over the top alongside a back slab to prevent Ted flexing his ankle.

“The challenging bit, though, was being brave enough to leave such a massive wound and have the confidence the BioSIS graft would deliver.

“It also meant eight weeks of dressing changes every five days and a couple of minor tweaks along the way, but the result has been excellent.

“Now, 11 months on, Ted not only remains tumour free but has a fully functional ankle joint and the hair regrowth means the cosmetic result is also extremely good.”

So, Michael’s patience paid off for pet patient Ted and both are delighted with the outcome.

For more information on Linnaeus-owned Calder Vets, visit www.caldervets.co.uk or search for them on social media.

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