Application of a single vascularised skin flap in eastern imperial eagle with skin defects

Abstract

Skin defects are a frequent problem in avian clinical practice. They require rapid and effective therapy due to the absence of available skin around the skin defects and desiccation of the surrounding tissue. Within the period of one year, between March 2010 and April 2011, several specimens of eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) were treated at the Clinic of Exotic and Free-Living Animals of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. Three of them (cases 1, 2 and 3) had damaged skin on their limbs. The skin defects presented in these patients required surgical treatment by a vascularised skin flap. Acceptance of the skin flap on the entire recipient site was seen in all three patients. Complete healing, as well as functioning of the damaged sites were observed within two months from the surgery. Using surgical treatment in case of extensive skin damages, as well as skin damages in hardly accessible locations, helps to prevent a number of complications associated with the management of the treatment of open wounds. The given method appears suitable also due to a better cosmetic effect and lower degree of stress to the patients.

Effective treatment of a severe neck wound in a greylag goose (Anser anser) using autologous thrombocyte‐rich plasma and xenogeneic fibrin mesh

“…The findings of this case report suggest that the combination of TRP and treatment with a xenogeneic fibrin mesh may be a useful option for extensive wounds in birds, as exemplified by the neck wound in the greylag goose discussed herein. An advantage is that in contrast to advanced flaps or other flap types, 18,19 our technique eliminates the need to harvest skin or tissue from alternative sites. Consequently, our method not only presents an alternative for cases involving infected wounds, where surgical closures may not be the primary choice, but also serves as a potential option in situations where obtaining tissue from other sources poses a challenge.…”