Winston, a sweet 5-year-old Havanese mix, came to us on October 7th after suffering a severe attack from a larger dog at daycare. The injuries were extensive—his skin and subcutaneous fat had been peeled back, leaving underlying tissue exposed. It was a serious situation, and our team immediately sprang into action.

Upon examination, our doctor noted a large skin flap along with multiple lacerations and puncture wounds, all requiring surgical repair. Due to the extent of the damage, there was a high risk of tissue necrosis (tissue death), meaning Winston's recovery might require multiple surgeries depending on how much of the skin survived. His owners, determined to give him the best chance, opted for surgery that very night.

A Tough Road to Recovery

The day after surgery, during his first bandage change, we could already see signs of trouble—some of the skin had started to turn black, indicating necrosis. The puncture wounds were draining, which was expected since they had been left open intentionally to help prevent infection. Despite everything, Winston remained comfortable, thanks to his pain medications and antibiotics.

Three days and two more bandage changes later, Winston met with our board-certified surgeon to discuss the next steps. The conversation was difficult, covering possible complications such as anesthetic risks, infections, progressive tissue necrosis, and even sepsis. At this stage, the best course of action was to wait and monitor how much of the remaining tissue would survive before deciding on reconstructive surgery.

Unfortunately, over the next two days, Winston's skin continued to deteriorate, and signs of infection appeared despite his antibiotic treatment. To combat this, we added a broad-spectrum antibiotic to help control the bacterial load and prevent sepsis.

Innovative Wound Care

As more of the necrotic tissue was removed, our Surgery team used specialized techniques to promote healing. The remaining skin was flushed with warm saline, and sutures were placed around the wound to create a tie-over bandage. To aid healing, calcium alginate dressings were used inside the wound—these absorbent dressings help manage fluid and support tissue regeneration. The wound was then carefully layered with padding and a waterproof exterior before being secured using the tie-over method. Due to ongoing tissue necrosis, this entire process had to be repeated the following day.

For the next month, Winston returned every 2-3 days for bandage changes, with the suture ties gradually being tightened to help the wound close naturally. Finally, after weeks of dedicated care, enough healthy tissue had regenerated for the wound to be surgically closed. Just three weeks later, Winston was fully healed!

A Happy Ending

Winston’s recovery was a true testament to the dedication of his owners and our veterinary team. With no guarantee of success, they put their trust in his resilience—and Winston proved them right. Now, four months later, he is happy, healthy, and back to enjoying life to the fullest.

Winston’s story serves as a powerful reminder of how unpredictable dog interactions can be and why careful monitoring is so important, even in controlled environments like daycare. His journey was long and challenging, but thanks to quick action, expert veterinary care, and the love of his family, he made a full recovery.

We are so proud of you, Winston!