Whenever I catch a cold, my 80-year-old mother always calls with the same question: “Did you go to the doctor? Maybe you need antibiotics.” If I do see the doctor, she calls again, because that’s what mothers do: “Did he put you on antibiotics?” When I explain it’s a virus, she replies, “Maybe to be on the safe side, you should have antibiotics.”
A decade ago, veterinary medicine wasn’t all that different than my mother. We often approached patient care in the same cautious way, prescribing antibiotics, “just to be safe.”
Fortunately, the world has changed (unlike my mother), and antibiotic stewardship is now a cornerstone of modern veterinary practice. We better understand resistance, the microbiome, and the long-term impact of systemic antibiotics. And we feel the responsibility to prescribe judiciously while still protecting our patients, public health, and our safe food supply.
Rethinking Wound Care
Not long ago, systemic antibiotics were a common part of many treatment plans, especially for wounds. We used them to prevent infection, manage inflammation, and reduce complication risks. After all, we had all seen how quickly a situation could escalate. A “just in case” prescription often felt safer than watchful waiting or hoping the patient kept the E-collar on.
Today, our understanding of wound biology allows for a more targeted, case-by-case approach. Stewardship isn’t about doing less. It is about choosing the right care for the patient in front of us. Factors like wound depth, contamination, vascular supply, and systemic signs guide our treatment choices.
Not every wound requires prolonged or repeated systemic antibiotics. Superficial wounds, clean surgical incisions, early-stage hot spots, and wounds with healthy granulation tissue can often benefit from focused local support.
Why Topicals Matter
Topical therapy helps us to directly support the wound environment and promote healthy tissue repair. It also helps maintain proper moisture balance and allows us to treat the affected area without systemic effects. Topicals can be used alone or as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. They align with responsible antibiotic use while keeping patient safety a priority.
The Importance of the Local Wound Environment
Advances in wound science highlight the importance of maintaining a balanced, moist environment to support epithelial migration and tissue repair. Supporting the wound locally can:
- Protect developing granulation tissue
- Encourage epithelialization
- Maintain proper moisture levels
- Provide a barrier against external contamination
Integrating Topical Support Into Practice
Products like KeraVet Gel are designed to support the structural framework of healing tissue. As a keratin-based topical, KeraVet Gel supplies structural proteins that aid tissue repair while keeping wounds moist. (And with a built-in clinically proven lick deterrent, you can appreciate how it helps support healing in many ways).
In suitable clinical scenarios, adding a topical to wound protocols can support healthy granulation tissue and provide a protective surface barrier. It can also help manage stalled wounds after initial systemic therapy and potentially reduce the need for extended antibiotic courses. This isn’t about replacing systemic therapy when it’s necessary. It’s about using every available tool, including local support, to practice intentional, responsible care.
Case Study: Supporting a Stalled Wound and Stewardship
A kitten presented to Dr. Ashley Tuma of Gap, PA, with multiple wounds, including a quarter-sized lesion and several smaller areas of tissue damage. After 10 days of systemic antibiotics, healthy granulation tissue formed, but healing stalled.
At this point, topical keratin support (KeraVet Gel) was applied 2-3 times daily to the affected areas to optimize the local wound environment and support healing without extended systemic antibiotics.
“It was as if you could see the wound healing with every application of the KeraVet Gel. It helped the body provide a layer of protection and form a scab layer. After 10-12 days, the nickel-sized wound was completely healed.” — Dr. Tuma
Practicing With Intention
My mother may never stop suggesting antibiotics, and that’s okay. In veterinary medicine, however, we have the tools, knowledge, and responsibility to do better. By thoughtfully integrating topical therapies like KeraVet Gel into wound and incision management, we can support healing at the surface, protect our patients, and practice true antibiotic stewardship.
If you’re looking for a clinically effective way to optimize the wound environment while maintaining judicious antibiotic use, consider incorporating KeraVet Gel into your wound care toolkit. Sometimes, the most powerful support we can offer begins right where healing starts.
Dr. Kim
The KeraVet Team
Dr. Kim Farina is a practicing veterinarian and KeraVet marketing consultant who is passionate about practical, responsible medicine. She practices antibiotic stewardship and continues to reassure her mother that not everything requires antibiotics.
Ready to see the difference in your own cases? KeraVet Gel is built for the realities of post-op care by supporting healing, reducing licking, and helping patients recover more comfortably. Request your sample here.