Pathogenesis
- Most feline axillary wounds arise when one foreleg becomes entrapped through the neck collar, but any similar constriction in this area (eg maliciously placed elastic band) is likely to have the same effect
. - Unless the limb is released promptly, ischemia and pressure necrosis result in a skin wound which may become secondarily infected.
- Most chronic axillary wounds are found in cats that have been missing from their home environment for some time.
- These wounds can be extremely frustrating, and expensive, to treat.
Inciting or perpetuating causes
- The initial cause is most often the ischemia and pressure necrosis from a neck collar, referred to above. However in approaching the clinical case, which usually presents as a non-healing wound, other disease mechanisms should also be borne in mind and ruled out. These include:
- Neoplasia.
- Foreign body.
- Eosinophilic granulomatous reaction.
- Cowpox infection
. - Mycobacterial infection.
- Bacterial infection.
- Infectious viral disease, eg FeLV or FIV .
- Other systemic or degenerative disease, eg renal or hepatic disease , anemias , hypoproteinemias .
- Sporotrichosis.
In many cases, the perpetuating case is the immediate environment of the wound, which tends to delay or prevent healing. The axillary area is warm, moist and subject to constant motion and tension. These factors may frustrate repeated attempts at closure of these wounds by means of conventional suturing techniques.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Lascelles B D X, Davison L, Dunning M, Bray J P, White R A S (1998) Use of omental pedicle grafts in the management of non-healing axillary wounds in 10 cats. JSAP 39 475-480.
- Brockman D J, Pardo A D, Conzemius M G, Cabell L M, Trout N J (1996) Omentum-enhanced reconstruction of chronic non-healing wounds in cats - techniques and clinical use. Vet Surg 25 99-104.
