Locally Injected Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Cutaneous Wound Healing in Cats

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Wound healing in cats is a complex process that can be accomplished by first or second intention. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a product from patients’ own blood that has been found to promote wound healing in both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of PRP infiltration in open wounds in cats. It was found that experimentally created wounds infiltrated with PRP showed a more rapid total wound healing and a better perfusion, supporting the use of PRP in open wounds in laboratory cats. In conclusion, PRP is considered a cost-effective and simple method to accelerate open-wound healing in cats. ABSTRACT: Cutaneous defects in cats are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and healing can be accomplished by first or second intention. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is characterized by a plasma concentration containing a large number of platelets in a small volume of plasma. The objective of the present study was to record the efficacy of PRP infiltration in open wounds in laboratory cats. Six wounds were created in the dorsal midline of eight laboratory cats, with the wounds of one side designated as the PRP group and the wounds of the other side as the control group. Wound healing was evaluated by daily clinical examination, planimetry, laser Doppler flowmetry, and histologic examination on days 0, 7, 14, and 25, and by measurement of metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 on days 0, 14, and 25. Based on the results of the present study, the mean time for full coverage with granulation tissue was shorter in the PRP group, the mean contraction and total wound healing percentage were increased compared to the control group, and finally, the perfusion measured with laser Doppler flowmetry was higher in the PRP group during all examination days. In conclusion, this is the first study focusing on the topical application of PRP in the treatment of open wounds in laboratory cats, and our results are encouraging—showing a more rapid healing in the PRP group.