Forums

Guidance, support and wisdom to benefit and maximize the life and longevity of animals.

VetVine CE

Posted On Jun 26, 2025

Updated On Jun 27, 2025

Open Wound Care

Surgery

Assessment of a patient with open wound injuries includes defining or classifying the wound based on its type or cause as well as degree of contamination.

Open wounds can occur in association with bites, penetration by sharp objects, being hit by car (or jumping from a car), iatrogenically (planned excision), or projectiles including gunshot. These wounds are further classified as any one or combination of the following:

  • Abrasion (confined to the epidermis or dermis)
  • Avulsion (tearing of tissue)
  • Incision (smooth edges)
  • Laceration (irregular edges)
  • Stab or puncture (teeth, bullet, arrow)
  • Shearing or degloving

Other types of open wounds may develop secondary to various environmental effects or exposures including:

  • Decubital (pressure)
  • Non-healing draining lesions (fistula / sinus)
  • Burns (thermal, cold, electrical, chemical)
  • Radiation therapy
     

Another important consideration for determining the management of a wound is the degree of contamination present. Classifications of wound contamination include:

  • Clean = surgical, aseptic; no hollow muscular organ has been opened
  • Clean-contaminated = minimal contamination or debris, which can be removed
  • Contaminated = gross contamination (<105 bacteria/gram => gunshot, bites); include traumatic wounds less than 4 hours old 
  • Dirty = infection present (>105 bacteria/gram) - if surgically closed there is a 50-100% chance for dehiscense; include traumatic wounds greater than 4 hours old


The specifics of wound management are variable and dependent on the etiology, degree of contamination, and patient status.