Toe Amputation with Delayed Healing

History: Lani, 10-year-old FS Rottweiler; congenital deformity of one toe.

PE/Clinical Outcome: Persistent licking and self-trauma to the affected digit resulted in a chronic wound that failed to achieve complete healing. Due to the severity and chronicity of the lesion, amputation of the affected digit was performed.

Postoperative Management: Following surgery, KeraVet Gel was incorporated into Lani’s postoperative wound-care protocol to support tissue healing and help reduce licking and subsequent self-trauma. The owner has been applying KeraVet Gel to the affected site 4–8 times daily for the past 8 days. During this period, the owner has observed improvement in the wound, and Lani has not exhibited licking or self-trauma of the incision.

Despite the improvement in the incision and control of the licking behavior, Lani’s high activity level resulted in postoperative dehiscence. The incision will require surgical closure, with KeraVet Gel to be incorporated into the ongoing wound care treatment.

Bill San Filippo, DVM
Pahoa Animal Hospital
Pahoa, Hawaii