05/27/2026
Reggie’s recovery journey is a great reminder why diligent wound care, teamwork, and dedicated owners matter so much.
Following exploratory surgery for a gastrointestinal foreign body, Reggie developed a significant postoperative wound complication involving infection, tissue breakdown, and a large subcutaneous abscess. Postoperative wound complications can occur even in carefully performed surgeries and are often multifactorial. Factors including tissue trauma, inflammation, blood supply compromise, dead space, bacterial contamination, patient activity, and wound healing variability can all influence healing and tissue viability. As the wound evolved, areas of devitalized tissue and a large abscess developed, requiring extensive wound management and repeated reassessment. Treatment included surgical debridement, establishment of open wound drainage, daily bandage changes, culture-guided antibiotic therapy, pain management, tie-over bandage placement, and ultimately delayed primary closure once the wound bed was healthy enough to support healing.
Tie-over bandages are specialized bandages used to secure wound dressings while protecting delicate tissue and allowing repeated access for ongoing treatment and evaluation. Reggie’s wound was managed using Manuka honey to support granulation tissue formation. The tie-over construct was covered with an Ioban drape to help protect the bandage between changes.
Throughout recovery, careful monitoring of drainage, tissue viability, granulation tissue development, wound contraction, and residual dead space helped guide treatment decisions and the timing of closure. Over time, the wound demonstrated progressive improvement, ultimately allowing for successful delayed primary closure.
Most importantly, Reggie was truly the best patient. Despite weeks of wound care and daily bandage changes, he remained sweet, patient, endlessly trusting, and always ready with tail wags for our team every visit. His owners also showed incredible dedication throughout the entire process and played a huge role in his successful recovery. We are so proud of this brave little guy and grateful we could be part of his healing journey.💙
