N E W   C A S E S The Use of HEALx Soother Ointment in a Harris hawk with a Severe Wing Lesion Sergio Sarmiento Valiente, DVM    Before Day 0 (skin closure) Soother and gauze applied Plastic film covering Day 7 Day 14 (recovering) A Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) was presented with severe wounds from an attack by a wild animal. It had an infected severe lesion on the wing showing loss of skin and consequent exposure of deeper tissue and tendons with the potential for necrosis. The bird was in obvious pain, and amputation was to be considered if the wound did not heal well. The bird was placed under general anesthesia, and the lesion was cleaned and disinfected with a diluted solution of chlorhexidine. The skin was dissected to close the wound, as there was little skin left. A generous amount of Soother Ointment was applied topically and covered with gauze. The gauze was applied to the wound and covered with plastic film. The wing was dressed with co-adhesive material and left alone. No other analgesics were used. The animal received an injectable antibiotic. On recheck 1 week later, the wound was already healing. _________________________   The Use of HEALx Soother Plus in a Domestic Cat with Severe Burns Barry K. Orange, DVM Before Day 0 Day 17 Day 34 Day 40 Day 57 An 8.8-lb domestic short-haired cat, approximately 1-2 years old, presented with severe burns from a radiator. The burned areas were debriding. The cat was initially treated with clavamox, silver sulfadiazine cream (twice a day) and meloxicam. After almost 1 month without any resolution and very limited granulation, all treatment was discontinued. HEALx Soother Plus (applied topically q12h) was used as the only treatment modality until healing (started at Day 0). Amitriptyline HCI was added in the last week of treatment. The wound showed rapid contracture with addition of the Soother Plus as it healed. _________________________ The Use of HEALx Soother Plus and Booster for Treatment of Mild Bilateral Pododermatitis in a Parrot Laura Wade, DVM, ABVP (Avian) BEFORE BEFORE AFTER AFTER A 7-year-old female Meyer’s parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) developed mild plantar pododermatitis on the proximal digital pad of both first phalanges. The epithelium showed thinning of the papillae with mild erythema and localized swelling (“Before” photos). HEALx Soother Plus cream was applied with a cotton swab to the affected lesions q24h, and Booster was administered orally (0.05 ml) q24h for 2 weeks. A plastic-on-plastic syringe was used to facilitate the administration of the Booster. Evaluation 6 weeks later showed resolution of the erythema and swelling and return of papillae (“After” photos). Soother Plus was chosen for its topical pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties as well as for being nontoxic if ingested. Booster was chosen for its systemic anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Booster also contains beta carotene, which is important for epithelial turnover. The bird did not object to the taste of the red palm fruit oil. Initially, the bird reacted slightly to the application of the Soother Plus (pulling her feet away), but as the treatments progressed, she acclimated to the sensation. After release, she would groom her feet briefly. The combination of a topical Soother Plus and oral Booster once daily with reduction of sedentary activity proved very satisfactory for the treatment of the mild pododermatitis lesions in this bird. Additionally, the owner appreciated not having to use more potent antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication. _____________________ The Use of HEALx Soother Plus in a Rabbit with an Abscess Vittorio Capello, DVM A 2-year-old female lop rabbit was presented for a huge facial swelling. Appearance after shaving, frontal view. Appearance after shaving, frontal view. The rabbit is shaved and prepared before surgical removal. The huge mass was an odontogenic abscess, but not of periapical origin. A spur from the maxillary CT1 cause an infected lesion of the buccal mucosa. Complete removal of the abscess with its capsule led to complete exposure of the masseter muscle, the masseteric fossa, the zygomatic area and the caudal portion of the buccal area. The fistula from the intraoral buccal lesion is visible just cranial to the aponeurosis of the masseteric muscle. Due to impossibility of marsupialization of such a wide defect, a plastic surgical recontruction of the skin was attempted. Note the fistula has been kept open, for further flushing. Follow up 3 days after surgery showed failure of the plastic skin surgery. A large portion of skin was necrotic. The necrotic skin was removed under general anethesia, and the defect was left healing by secondary intention with frequent flushing and application of HEALx Soother Plus cream. Follow up after 3 days. Please note the rabbit is not under sedation, but just very tame and would freeze when placed in sternal recumbency. Follow up after 8 days. Bleeding, granulating tissue is visible, and necrosis is just limited to the area around the fistula. Follow up after 13 days. Follow up after 18 days. Complete healing is achieved, with minimal scar retraction of the skin and, most importantly, of the lower left eyelid. _________________________ The Use of HEALx Soother Plus in a Budgerigar with a Bleeding Mass Stephen M. Wyler, DVM BEFORE (Fig 1) AFTER (Fig 2) A 7-year-old female budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) was presented with a bleeding mass on its tail from self-mutilation. The bird had been fed a diet of seeds, millet and some pellets. The mass, approximately 1 cm in size, was present in the region of the uropygial gland. It was elevated and covered with fresh and dried blood, making visualization extremely difficult. All diagnostics were declined by the owner. The mass was cauterized with silver nitrate, and the patient was sent home with omega fatty acids, meloxicam and HEALx Soother Plus to be applied q12h to the tail base lesion. The owner was instructed to increase the amount of pellets fed while gradually decreasing the amount of millet and seeds. The patient returned 2 weeks later (Fig 1). Although the mass was slightly smaller, there was still a small amount of bleeding. Cut-Trol was applied topically, and instructions were given to continue administering the omega fatty acids, meloxicam and Soother Plus at the same dosages and frequency. Upon re-examination approximately 5 weeks later (Fig 2), the mass was no longer present, and the owner reported it had fallen off 10 days following the previous visit. There was no sign of recurrence. _____________________ The Use of HEALx Soother Plus and Sunshine Factor in a Cockatoo with a Severe Skin Lesion Stephen M. Wyler, DVM BEFORE (Fig 1) Fig 2 Fig 3 AFTER (Fig 4) A 24-year-old female 400-g cockatoo was referred with a large, elevated lesion on the craniolateral aspect of the right tibiotarsus. The bird had been fed a seed diet. It received an injection of enrofloxacin and was sent home with oral and topical enrofloxacin. Four days later laboratory tests revealed anemia as well as the presence of yeast on a fecal Gram's stain. An injection of vitamin A/D/E was administered, enrofloxacin was continued and Nystatin Oral Suspension was initiated. HEALx Soother Plus (q12h) was dispensed as the only topical therapy. Instructions to the owner included improving the bird's diet by decreasing the amount of seeds given and weaning it to a pelleted diet as well as offering a full-spectrum light. Only slight improvement was noted at recheck 2 weeks later. Improvement continued slowly over the next 2 weeks, at which time Harrison's Bird Bread made with HEALx Sunshine Factor was added to the treatment protocol. Three weeks later, the patient returned with complete resolution of the tibiotarsus lesion and an additional 15-g weight gain. _____________________ The Use of HEALx Soother Plus in a Lhasa Apso with Necrosis of the Skin, Fat and Muscle T.R. Stechschulte, DVM Before Day 16 A 10-year-old, spayed female Lhasa Apso was presented with bruising and localized necrosis of the skin, fat and muscle from a bite wound. Initial treatment included cefovecin and carprofen. After debridement, the protocol was switched to enrofloxacin, tramadol and HEALx Soother Plus applied topically (q12h). A 2% chloroxylenol surgical scrub was also used q12h. Five days later, the puncture wounds were more defined. After 2 weeks, the wound showed good granulation and had significantly reduced in size. _________________   The Use of HEALx Sunshine Factor for Treatment of a Canine with Allergies Kirsten Love, DVM Before After A 6-year-old spayed female therapy dog that had suffered from allergies for several years was presented for chronic atopy and secondary pyoderma on the abdomen. Numerous medications and therapies had been tried with no lasting success. The dog was started on Sunshine Factor (0.1-0.3 ml per lb body weight q24h). The owner was very pleased at the 1 month update because the hot spots, infected skin odor and pruritis had resolved completely. The most amazing response was that the dog needed its first grooming appointment in years because its hair had resumed growing. If the dog stops taking the Sunshine Factor, the itching and sores return in less than a week. _________________