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Heald et al: Electroceutical treatment of infected chronic wounds in a dog and a cat
Veterinary Surgery 3, 2022

🔍 Key Findings

  • Electroceutical dressing (PED) promoted complete healing of chronic wounds in both a dog and a cat previously unresponsive to standard therapies.
  • Infection clearance occurred in both animals by the end of PED therapy, as shown by negative culture results.
  • In the dog, wound area reduced by ~4.2× over 10 days; healing completed by day 67 with no further antibiotic therapy.
  • In the cat, wound area reduced by ~2.5× over 17 days; healing completed by day 47 without systemic antibiotics.
  • PEDs function via direct current (DC) stimulation, believed to generate hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with antibacterial properties.
  • No side effects or adverse tissue reactions were observed in either case, supporting biocompatibility.
  • Multidrug-resistant organisms (e.g., S. pseudintermedius, S. canis, S. epidermidis) were eradicated by PED treatment.
  • PED therapy may reduce reliance on antibiotics and surgery, offering a novel adjunct for chronic, infected wounds.

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← Articles

Heald et al: Electroceutical treatment of infected chronic wounds in a dog and a cat
Veterinary Surgery 3, 2022

🔍 Key Findings

  • Electroceutical dressing (PED) promoted complete healing of chronic wounds in both a dog and a cat previously unresponsive to standard therapies.
  • Infection clearance occurred in both animals by the end of PED therapy, as shown by negative culture results.
  • In the dog, wound area reduced by ~4.2× over 10 days; healing completed by day 67 with no further antibiotic therapy.
  • In the cat, wound area reduced by ~2.5× over 17 days; healing completed by day 47 without systemic antibiotics.
  • PEDs function via direct current (DC) stimulation, believed to generate hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with antibacterial properties.
  • No side effects or adverse tissue reactions were observed in either case, supporting biocompatibility.
  • Multidrug-resistant organisms (e.g., S. pseudintermedius, S. canis, S. epidermidis) were eradicated by PED treatment.
  • PED therapy may reduce reliance on antibiotics and surgery, offering a novel adjunct for chronic, infected wounds.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Heald 2022 et al., on PED wound therapy, what was the total time to clinical healing in the dog case after initiation of treatment?

A. 10 days
B. 17 days
C. 47 days
D. 67 days
E. 90 days

Answer: 67 days

Explanation: Although wound size decreased over 10 days, full healing was confirmed on day 67.
In Heald 2022 et al., on PED wound therapy, which of the following statements best describes the cat's outcome after PED treatment?

A. PED treatment eliminated infection but wound did not close
B. PED had no effect on infection or wound size
C. PED reduced wound size, but bacteria persisted
D. PED resolved infection and wound healed by day 47
E. PED caused tissue necrosis and was discontinued

Answer: PED resolved infection and wound healed by day 47

Explanation: Culture on day 17 showed no infection, and the wound healed fully by day 47.
In Heald 2022 et al., on PED wound therapy, which bacterial species was isolated from the dog prior to treatment?

A. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
B. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Streptococcus canis
C. Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
E. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Streptococcus canis

Explanation: Punch biopsy in the dog identified these two species before PED treatment.
In Heald 2022 et al., on PED wound therapy, what antimicrobial mechanism is attributed to the electroceutical dressing?

A. Generation of nitric oxide through enzymatic activity
B. Increased local heat via resistive current
C. Production of hydrogen sulfide by bacterial metabolism
D. Generation of hypochlorous acid at the anode site
E. Release of silver ions into the wound

Answer: Generation of hypochlorous acid at the anode site

Explanation: The PED generates HOCl via direct current, which contributes to bacterial inhibition.
In Heald 2022 et al., on PED wound therapy, what current level was applied to the dressing during treatment?

A. 6 mA
B. 3 mA
C. 1 mA
D. 0.6 mA
E. 0.1 mA

Answer: 0.6 mA

Explanation: The current was limited to 600 μA (0.6 mA) via a 10-kΩ resistor.

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