LUCAA+ Probiotic pet wound cleaner (Dermo Care) spray is best known as a pet first aid kit staple, promoting healing of minor wounds, scratches, and hot spots. But forward-thinking vet Dr Richard Doyle took it a step further. He used LUCAA+ Pet Probiotic Dermo Care Spray (previously called Wound Care) to facilitate healthy healing and reduce antibiotic use for a dog and cat with multiple contaminated bites.
Dog and cat bites have a high risk of infection from the mouth of the attacker and can be narrow, deep and tricky to clean: Most of the wound is under the skin and the visible small hole on the skin’s surface is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’. Harmful bacteria can become trapped and difficult to reach.
Dr Richard Doyle, Director of Wylie Veterinary Practice in Essex comments:
“The wounds healed uneventfully. This case demonstrates a novel and effective way of managing contaminated wounds” and “This treatment is not damaging to the patient or the environment and does not lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).”
Case Study 1 – Ted (Toy Poodle): Shows how LUCAA+ probiotic pet wound cleaner reduced the antibiotic requirement for severe infected dog bites. Ted only required one antibiotic treatment injection, with no need for the usual additional 7 – 10 day course at home.
Case Study 2 – Mila (Domestic Short-Haired Cat): Shows how LUCAA+ probiotic pet wound cleaner promoted heathy healing of Mila’s contaminated cat bites with no need antibiotics.
At the end, we explain more about LUCAA+ Pet Dermo Care Spray. It’s not just for vets! You can safely use it at home for minor cuts, abrasions and hot spots etc.
Important: Always check with your vet if in any doubt.
Case Study One: Multiple Dog Bites
The Problem
Ted, a 7 year old Toy Poodle sustained a deep dog bite wound on the right side of the neck over his jugular vein.
The wound was approximately 6cm long and there was extensive bruising to the underlying tissues. The jugular vein was exposed but not damaged.
The Solution
The damaged tissue was excised under deep sedation. The affected area was clipped and cleaned with Chlorhexidine disinfectant, then rinsed with saline.
The open wound was sprayed with LUCAA+ Pet Dermo Care Spray, then surgically closed.
Ted was given one single antibiotic injection (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) and discharged home with instructions to spray the wound twice daily.
The Outcome
Ted returned to the vet for a follow-up check 3 days later. The wound was clean and healing well. Ted seemed comfortable with the wound and did not interfere with it.
Healing of the 6cm puncture wound was excellent and the surgical staples were removed 10 days later.
Ted made a full recovery and no further treatment was required.
Note: This probiotic pet wound cleaner spray reduced Ted’s antibiotic treatment to one single injection only. There was no need for the usual additional 7 to 10 days course at home.
Comment from Dr Richard Doyle, Director of Wylie Vets:
“Bite wounds are regarded with great caution by vets as they are always assumed to be infected with bacteria from the mouth of the attacker and tissue bruising/damage associated with such injuries can result in severe, deep-seated tissue infections, which can develop into septicemia (life-threatening infection of the blood). The normal treatment approach is to excise as much damaged tissue as possible and then cover with broad-spectrum antibiotics to combat deep-seated infection and sepsis.
Whilst antibiotics are effective against most pathogens, they also disrupt the normal bacterial flora of the intestinal tract and skin and so can lead to gastrointestinal upsets and dermatitis, can cause adverse allergic reactions, environmental contamination and over-use can lead to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
This approach involves creating an active biofilm of commensal (friendly) bacteria at the site of infection and eliminating the pathogenic bacteria by a process of competitive inhibition. This treatment is not damaging to the patient or the environment and does not lead to AMR.”
Case Study Two: Multiple Cat Bites
The Problem
Mila, an 8-month old domestic short hair cat, was involved in a nasty fight with another cat. She sustained multiple severe bite wounds to her tail and forearm. Clinical examination showed:
- Four deep puncture wounds at the base of her tail. These had penetrated her tail musculature and tendons.
- Two deep puncture wounds on the right forearm. These had penetrated her extensor and flexor muscles and tendons.
Poor Mila also had a temperature of 40.1ºC and was in moderate to severe pain. The base of her tail and forearm were inflamed.
The Solution
Bite wounds like these usually need antibiotic treatment – either orally or as an ointment. But Mila’s owner was a veterinary surgeon, Dr Richard Doyle from The Wylie Veterinary Centre in Essex. At the time, Dr Doyle had just started considering Provilan’s LUCAA+ range of topical probiotic pet care solutions. He took the opportunity to trial the probiotic pet wound cleaner spray instead:
- The affected areas were clipped then cleaned with Chlorhexidine antiseptic (contact time 5 minutes), then rinsed fully with tap water and dried carefully.
- The bite wounds were sprayed with LUCAA+ Probiotic Pet Wound Cleaner Spray twice daily for 7 days.
- Mila was also given opioids for pain control for three days (buprenorphine 0.02 mg/kg 3 times daily orally).
No other treatment was given. No attempt was made to reduce the local inflammatory response with anti-inflammatory treatment.
The Outcome
Mila’s temperature returned to normal after 24 hours. The swelling persisted for 4 days and resolved by 7 days post treatment. Mila has fully recovered and remains healthy, without any complications or need for further treatment.
Comment from Dr Richard Doyle, Director of Wylie Vets
“Mila’s case demonstrates a novel and effective way of managing contaminated wounds. These types of injuries are very common in companion animal veterinary practice. Depending on the extent of the injuries, the usual treatment for such injuries involves cleaning and deriding the wounds, analgesics and antibiotic treatment. No antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs were used in this case. The inflammation subsided after a few days as a result of using the spray. The wound management strategy was:
- To control bacterial contamination of the wound by first cleaning the wound with a topical antiseptic agent (Chlorhexidine). The antiseptic agent was then removed with tap water. An active biofilm of commensal bacteria was established using the LUCAA+ wound spray and maintained for a period of 7 days during which the wounds healed uneventfully.
- No attempt was made to modulate the local inflammatory response with NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) but rather to allow it to proceed unhindered to scar tissue formation and clinical healing.
- Opioid analgesics were used during the early stage of the healing process.”
LUCAA+ Pet Dermo Care Spray
This natural pet wound cleaner spray contains healthy ‘good’ bacteria (probiotics). The helpful probiotics work safely to reduce inflammation and infection. These helpful live microorganisms thoroughly clean in and around wounds and can travel deep into inflamed tissue. They work in a safe and mechanical way to simply out number and inhibit potentially harmful bacteria. This mechanical action does not cause pathogenic bacteria to mutate and develop resistance.
Although these case studies are about pets that needed veterinary care, you can use safely use the spray at home for minor wounds including abrasions, broken skin and hot spots. However, always contact your vet if in doubt.
- Facilitates wound healing and recovery.
- Removes organic soils that can cause infection.
- Balances the local microflora by integrating healthy bacteria into the affected environment.
- Prevents infections.
- True innovation – scientifically proven.
- PETA certified as vegan and cruelty-free.
Visit the product page for more information and instructions.
Note: Do not use in conjunction with other topical medications, antibiotics or cleaners. This reduces the effectiveness.
You can download the case studies in the Resources Centre and read the Vet’s full letter of recommendation.
Any questions? Just email enquiries@pure-ingenious.com or call us on 01268 544530 to find out more. We are here to help!
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Further reading: What Types of Infections Can Dogs Get From Cat Bites?
Note: The facial picture is a library photo of a toy poodle. All others are of Ted and Mila.
