Unfortunately, our animals can sometimes get injured and sustain a wound. Wound types can vary greatly and there are many different types. Wounds all heal in different ways, with some healing in different conditions to others. So, let’s have a look at the different types of wounds that an animal can sustain, whilst also looking at ‘moist healing’ and understanding the differences.

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Different types of wounds

There are different types of wounds, each with their own characteristics. The healing of the wound can vary and can depend on a number of different factors. Certain wounds can also be more prone to becoming infected than others.

Surgical wound: 

If your pet has undergone surgery, they will have had a surgical wound. Surgical wounds often have a clear edge that is neat and precise. The surgical area will have been prepared using an antiseptic surgical scrub to reduce the chance of infection.

Puncture wound: 

Puncture wounds are often caused by a sharp object, such as a tooth, nail or thorn. A puncture wound is characterised by a small entry point from where the object has broken through the skin. Puncture wounds have a high infection rate, as the object causing the wound often brings bacteria into the tissues.

Abrasion wound: 

Otherwise known as a graze, abrasion wounds usually only affect the top layer of the skin. The wound edges are often irregular and can sometimes bruise and bleed. Depending on the severity of the abrasion, there is usually a high chance of infection.

Contusion wound: 

A contusion, also known as a bruise, is an injury that affects the skin, muscle and other soft tissues. The skin often becomes discoloured, usually red, green or blue in appearance. Contusion wounds are extremely unlikely to become infected, unless internal bleeding occurs.

Laceration wound: 

Often characterised by uneven and jagged edges, laceration wounds are often caused by objects such as barbed wire or sharp branches tearing, rather than cleanly cutting, the skin. Lacerations are likely to become infected due to them being caused by dirty objects.

Burn wound: 

Burns are caused by hot objects touching the skin and damaging the skin layers beneath. Redness, blisters and infection are all common in burn wounds.

What is moist healing and what are the benefits?

Moist healing pretty much does exactly what it says on the tin. The wound is kept moist, providing a good environment for faster healing, along with reducing the chance of infection. 

The benefits of moist healing include:

Faster healing: 

Moist healing can help to speed up the healing process. The moist environment supports the migration of healthy skin cells, helping the different layers of the skin and tissues to granulate across the wound and eventually heal completely. 

Reduced scarring: 

Moist healing reduces the chance of scar tissue. Scar tissue usually forms when the wound takes a long time to heal properly, so with moist healing speeding up the healing process, the chances of scarring is significantly reduced. 

Less painful: 

With the wound staying moist, there is minimal chance of scabs forming across the wound. This then reduces the tension across the different layers of healing tissue and minimises the risk of scabs forming. Scabs are not necessarily a bad occurrence on wounds, but can be painful if removed, or if they are under significant tension. 

Creates an infection barrier: 

Moist wounds can cause a wet barrier to be present in and around the wound. This can act as a barrier to infection and can sometimes reduce the chances of the wound becoming infected.

How is moist healing achieved? 

Your veterinary surgeon will determine the best healing plan for your pet’s wound. If they opt for a moist healing environment, a variety of dressings can be used. These include foams, wet gauze dressings and even films across a wound. 

Wound filling solutions can also be used, which are often referred to as ‘hydrogels’. This thick, gel-like solution is placed on top or into the wound, helping to form a protective barrier and keep the wound moist. 

Moist wounds should be periodically checked by your veterinary surgeon to ensure that they are healing correctly and there are no signs of infection. Wounds are usually checked every 2 – 3 days initially. 

The healing time can vary depending on the severity of the wound. This can be anywhere from a week to 6 months worth of healing time.

Are there any wounds that should not be treated with moist healing?

Whilst moist healing can be beneficial for many wounds, there are some instances where moist healing should not be used. 

Infected wounds: 

If a wound is actively infected, it is likely that a warm, moist environment could in some cases just encourage bacteria to grow. In this instance, dressings may be required in order to make the wound more dry, rather than wet.

Wounds with exposed bone: 

If there is exposed bone, tissues or organs, it is likely that surgical intervention will be required. These structures will need further protection and bandaging, so it is unlikely that a moist healing approach will be taken.

Discharging wounds: 

In cases where wounds are producing a lot of discharge, a moist healing technique would be pointless. Appropriate dressings would need to be used in order to absorb the excess fluid coming from the wound.

Final thoughts on moist healing wounds

Wounds that are healed by remaining moist have a variety of benefits for your pet. It is likely that they will heal a lot quicker, be less painful and have a reduced chance of scarring. If your animal sustains a wound, always seek veterinary advice before trying to treat it yourself. It is important to remember that wound healing times can vary greatly and are individual to each animal.

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