A decubitus ulcer (pressure sore, pressure wound) is skin and deeper tissue that dies because it has been squeezed between a bony prominence and the surface the animal lies on. In dogs it is almost always a complication of something else, most often paralysis, prolonged recumbency or a badly padded cast or splint (Merck), and it is far easier to prevent than to heal.
Key facts
Decubitus ulcer at a glance- Species and system: dog; integumentary, often secondary to neurologic or orthopaedic disease.
- Cause: sustained pressure over a bony prominence causing ischaemic necrosis, made worse by shear, friction, moisture and poor nutrition.
- At-risk patients: paraplegic or tetraplegic dogs, large and giant breeds, thin dogs and Greyhounds, incontinent patients, dogs in casts or splints.
- Classic presentation: a recumbent dog with hair loss, redness or an open sore over the greater trochanter, shoulder or hock (lateral recumbency), the ischial tuberosities (sitting) or the elbow (sternal).
- Key principle: nothing heals until the pressure is taken off.
- Not zoonotic, not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 10 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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