Prospective, randomized, two-arm clinical evaluation of placental matrix for open wound management in dogs

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is currently recruiting client-owned dogs with traumatic wounds.   

Enrollment Status: Enrolling

Inclusion Criteria: To be eligible for this study, dogs must have a traumatic wound that occurred within the last five days.

Study Procedures: All dogs will receive standard wound care at each visit. Dogs assigned to the treatment group will also have a single application of the placental matrix applied to their wound, covered with a bandage. This is a painless, non-invasive procedure performed during the sedation already needed for wound care, so no additional handling or restraint is required.

Follow-up visits will be scheduled depending on the wound’s condition and will continue until the wound is fully healed. At each visit, wounds will be evaluated using a standardized wound assessment tool and photographs.

Cost: The placental matrix will be provided at no cost to enrolled participants. Owners are otherwise responsible for all standard veterinary care costs associated with their pet’s wound management and follow up visits

Background: Traumatic wounds are among the most common reasons dogs are brought to veterinary hospitals, resulting from causes such as animal bites, road traffic accidents, and other injuries. These wounds can be a significant source of illness and may also carry a substantial financial burden due to the need for prolonged and labour-intensive treatment. Wound care in veterinary medicine often requires repeated veterinary visits, frequent bandage changes, and multiple episodes of sedation.

To address these challenges, we are investigating a novel wound product that may accelerate healing and improve outcomes. Placental-derived materials have shown promise in humans and in some reports for canine patients, but have not been directly evaluated for their use in wound healing in dogs. This study aims to fill that gap by investigating whether placental matrix can improve wound healing outcomes and time to complete healing.

Investigators: Rachel Williams, rwwilliams@ufl.edu, (407)748-3798

Contact: You can contact the Clinical Studies Team at 352-294-4389 or by email: VM-ClinicalStudies@ufl.edu, or complete the Study Interest Form to see if your dog qualifies.