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A 2-year-old chinchilla presented with a 2- x 4-cm ulcerated area extending through the skin and subcutis to the muscle layer in the right flank region. Surgery was performed and the tissue was resected. A 3-layer closure with 4-0 PDS was performed, and the tissue was submitted for histopathology. Histopathology revealed severe, diffuse, pyogranulomatous and fibrosing dermatitis and cellulitis with degenerate neutrophils suggestive of bacterial infection. The chinchilla was placed on enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg q12h) and meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) daily.
Over the next 15 days, the wound was reopened due to self-trauma several times and was cleaned, debrided and resutured each time; an Elizabethan collar was also applied. Cisapride (0.4 mg/kg) and trimethoprim-sulfa (30 mg/kg q12h) were added to the therapy without results. Although the owners elected for humane euthanasia at this point, a clinical trial with HEALx Soother Plus was offered.
All oral medications (including antibiotics) were discontinued except butorphanol (0.25 mg/kg q12h x 9d). Soother Plus was applied topically q8h to the entire wound, which controlled pruritus and self-excoriation throughout the healing process without the use of an Elizabethan collar. Following completion of the butorphanol therapy, Soother Plus was continued q8h until healing resulted. | 
