Canine Burns Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Burns are painful injuries involving partial or complete skin damage caused by heat (thermal burns), chemicals, electricity, friction, cold, or radiation. While burns are relatively uncommon in dogs compared to other traumatic injuries, they can be serious and even life-threatening when they occur. Burns represent a significant emergency medicine topic on the NAVLE due to their complex pathophysiology, need for immediate intervention, and potential for systemic complications.

Thermal burns are the most common type encountered in veterinary practice, often resulting from domestic accidents (scalding liquids, contact with hot surfaces, house fires), inappropriate use of heating pads during anesthesia, or hot dryer injuries at grooming facilities.

Burn Classification

Classification by Etiology

Classification by Depth

Burn depth is classified according to the layers of skin affected. In veterinary medicine, the terminology has evolved from the classic human degree system to a more descriptive system based on tissue layers affected.