Fresh tilapia fish skin graft treatment of severe skin burns in a cat

Abstract

An entire female cat presented with extensive third-degree burns covering greater than 30% of total body surface. The wound was cleaned and debrided with daily dressing management to heal with second intention. Dressing applied included honey-based product, L-Mesitran Ointment, and silver alginate dressing, Askina Calgitrol Thin, until healthy granulation tissue had formed. Fresh tilapia skin grafts were harvested and prepared and secured onto the wound bed. Daily lavage and graft evaluation occurred, and subsequently the skin grafts were removed on Day 13 and Day 7, respectively. Wound healing was observed without any complications or adverse side effects. In conclusion, the use of fresh tilapia skin grafts proves to be a safe, innovative, low-cost, and effective therapeutic and promising option in treatment of challenging skin burn wounds. Tilapia fish skin grafts resulted in a clinically favourable outcome in a cat with extensive third-degree burn wounds.