Case presentation

Meet Bruno, a 9-year-old male Alaskan Malamute treated for bilateral elbow pressure sores in dogs caused by repeated pressure and mechanical irritation during rest. At the initial dermatological examination, pressure-related changes were identified on both elbows. Both areas showed signs of chronic irritation, including callus formation, hair loss, skin thickening, and hyperpigmentation. One elbow was additionally complicated by a deep fistula with purulent discharge.

This case study Bruno highlights the challenges of dog elbow wound care when pressure sores develop over weight-bearing areas. Because both elbows were affected, Bruno required more than topical treatment alone. Effective wound protection and pressure offloading for dog wounds were needed to reduce ongoing compression, minimize mechanical irritation, and support stable conditions between dressing changes.

WIMBA Wound Care was incorporated into Bruno’s dog pressure sore treatment plan as an external protective spacer system. The goal was to help create an offloading zone around the affected tissue, reduce direct contact with hard surfaces, protect the primary dressing, and provide a more stable wound-care environment throughout recovery.

Medical Examination

During the initial assessment, Bruno presented with bilateral elbow wounds associated with chronic pressure and mechanical irritation. Both elbows showed areas of hair loss, skin thickening, hyperpigmentation, and callus formation. One elbow was further complicated by a deep fistula with purulent discharge, indicating more advanced tissue involvement and infection risk.

Prior to introducing WIMBA Wound Care, the wounds were managed under veterinary supervision with routine wound care, including dressing changes and topical therapies. Despite these measures, healing remained challenging because the wounds were located directly over weight-bearing areas that were repeatedly exposed to pressure during rest.

A common challenge in managing elbow pressure sores in dogs is reducing mechanical stress at the wound site while maintaining protection of the underlying dressing. In Bruno’s case, the treatment objective was to minimize pressure and friction over both elbows while creating a protected space around the affected tissue.

Before implementation, Bruno remained under veterinary supervision and no contraindications to use were identified. The wounds were covered with appropriate primary dressings, and WIMBA Wound Care was applied externally as a pressure-relief and protective spacer device.

WIMBA Wound Care Therapy and Results

Application challenges and product adjustments

Maintaining consistent positioning of the spacer was the primary challenge throughout treatment. Bruno frequently shifted weight onto the affected areas and rested directly on his elbows, increasing the likelihood of spacer displacement. Early configurations occasionally moved during repositioning, particularly when the spacer profile was higher or contact with the surrounding tissue was limited.

Caregiver feedback was used to evaluate different configurations throughout the treatment period. Lower-profile Donut-based designs appeared to provide improved retention and stability compared to earlier configurations. The caregiver reported that the most practical spacer combined sufficient cushioning with enough structural support to maintain separation from the wound area during use.

Later Donut-based designs also improved positioning around the elbow, resulting in more consistent placement during rest. This was especially relevant for bilateral elbow pressure sores in dogs, where both sides require protection and the patient’s resting position can quickly affect dressing stability.

This case highlights the importance of considering factors beyond wound location alone when selecting a protective spacer. Device retention, patient positioning, bandaging technique, and ease of application all influenced day-to-day use and overall practicality throughout treatment.

How Bruno Responded to WIMBA Wound Care

Bruno tolerated WIMBA Wound Care well during the treatment period. No adverse reactions were reported, and he did not attempt to remove or interfere with the applied wound-care spacers. He was able to rest comfortably on the affected areas, and the solution did not interfere with daily handling or routine care.
This was important in Bruno’s dog pressure sore treatment, because any protective spacer must be practical enough for consistent use in real daily conditions. In this case, tolerance, comfort, and caregiver usability were key factors in maintaining protection around both elbow areas.

Bruno’s case illustrates how complex dog elbow wound care can become when pressure sores are located over weight-bearing areas. Even when wounds are covered with appropriate primary dressings, repeated compression, friction, and patient positioning may continue to interfere with stable wound management.

In this case, WIMBA Wound Care was used as part of the treatment plan to support wound protection and pressure offloading for dog wounds. During the period of use, progressive improvement was documented, and both elbow wounds were reported as healed at the final evaluation.

The purpose of this case is not to claim that WIMBA Wound Care directly caused wound closure. Instead, it presents an observed clinical progression in which protective spacer use was incorporated into broader dog pressure sore treatment under veterinary supervision.