Successful management of a large feline skin defect using xenogeneic bovine amniotic membrane: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Amniotic membrane has gained interest as a biological dressing due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerative properties. However, its short shelf life and limited availability often constrain its clinical use in veterinary medicine. This report describes, for the first time, the use of bovine-derived AM preserved in a 1% propolis medium as a xenogeneic biological dressing for the management of extensive skin necrosis in a cat. Case presentation An eight-month-old female domestic cat (1.9 kg, unvaccinated) presented with severe dorsal skin sloughing and purulent discharge following subcutaneous fluid therapy for calicivirus infection. The wound involved approximately 12–15% of the body surface area. Initial management included systemic and topical antibiotics with daily cleansing for 5–7 days until the wound bed appeared dry and clean. Bovine AM preserved in propolis at −20 °C for 21 days was applied once the wound was ready for biological coverage. A second AM application was performed 30 days later using a membrane preserved for ~50 days. Quantitative analysis showed progressive wound closure from 97.1 cm² at baseline to complete epithelialization by Day 33 and full functional recovery with hair regrowth by Day 74. No recurrence, infection, or excessive scarring was observed. Conclusion This case demonstrates that propolis-preserved bovine AM can serve as a practical, biologically active xenogeneic graft promoting rapid wound healing in cats. The findings suggest that propolis is a promising natural preservative that maintains AM bioactivity during storage.