Wound care in veterinary medicine has changed significantly over the past 25 years owing to an enhanced understanding of the cellular processes of wound healing. The primary goal of wound management is to achieve healing as quickly as possible to minimize pain, prevent infection and restore normal function. A fresh, clean wound bed for closure can be achieved through debridement, where necrotic and devitalized tissue is removed from the wound. Through debridement and disinfection, LDT is regarded as a safe, effective, and controlled method of healing wounds. 

When should Larval Therapy be used?
The range of LDT dressings available make the therapy appropriate for a variety of wounds. Typical animal wounds to consider include: 
•    Lacerations
•    Pressure wounds
•    Degloving injuries
•    Gunshot wounds
•    Bite wounds

Larval Therapy has also been evidenced anecdotally for several other conditions, including: 
•    Laminitis
•    Quittor
•    Hoof abscess
•    Overgranulation
•    To combat infection

Applying Larval Therapy: Bagged or Free Range?
The choice between product type is a clinical decision that should be taken on a case-by-case basis. BioBags are recommended for most wounds but Free Range Larvae are particularly suitable;
•    where cavities or undermining are present 
•    on deep wounds where BioBag will not have sufficient surface contact
•    where the wound is circumferential or awkwardly shaped

The following images show a BioBag (L) being utilised on an infected bone implant in a Labrador, and Free Range larvae (R) in situ on a chronically infected wound in a horse: 

           

 

BioMonde
With production sites in the UK and Germany, BioMonde is a multinational pharmaceutical company that specialises in the manufacture and distribution of Larval Debridement Therapy (LDT) products for chronic wounds. 

Please visit biomonde.com to learn more about the range of products available and get in touch if you would like to learn how the therapy could help you overcome some of the challenges that you face in Veterinary wound care.

For further information, please contact:
enquiries@biomonde.com
0345 230 1810

References:

1.    Balsa, I. M. Culp, W. T. N. (2015) Wound Care, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice: Volume 45, Issue 5, September 2015, Pages 1049-1065

2.    Percival, N. J. (2002) Classification of wounds and their management. Surgery 20(5): 114-117. Cited in: Devriendt, N. Rooster, H. D. (2017) Initial Management of Traumatic Wounds, Vet Clin Small Anim (47): 1123-1134

3.    Singer, A. J. Dagum, A. B. (2008) Current management of acute cutaneous wounds. N Engl J Med 359(10): 1037-1046. Cited in: Devriendt, N. Roost-er, H. D. (2017) Initial Management of Traumatic Wounds, Vet Clin Small Anim (47): 1123-1134

4.    Mickelson, M. A., Mans, C., & Colopy, S. A. (2016). Principles of Wound Management and Wound Healing in the Exotic Pets. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Exotic Animal Practice, 19(1), 33–53.

5.    Choudhary, V., Choudhary, M., Pandey, S., Chauhan, V. D., & Hasnani, J. J. (2016). Maggot debridement therapy as primary tool to treat chronic wound of animals. Veterinary World, 9(4), 403–409. http://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.403-409

6.    Winkler, K. P. (2018) Management of Specific Wounds, MSD Veterinary Manual [online]: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/emergency-medicine-and-critical-care/wound-management/management-of-specific-wounds