Complete skin regeneration with medical honey after skin loss on the entire circumference of a leg in a cat

Abstract

Second-intention healing of wounds on distal extremities in cats can be considered for superficial wounds involving less than 30% of the circumference of the limb. In our case the wound was characterized by complete loss of skin on 100% of the circumference of the limb from the elbow to the paw with contemporary ulnar fracture. Advanced reconstructive surgery or amputation of the leg was not acceptable for the owner; therefore, healing with medical honey was selected. In 49 days, an 80% reduction of the wound was observed. The wound healed completely by second intention with regrowth of hair and minimal scarring. Complete function was restored in the affected leg. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first written report of such extensive complete loss of skin on a leg in a cat healed by second intention with the use of medical honey.

Keywords: Cats; Limb skin defect; Medical honey; Second-intention wound healing.