Abstract
<jats:p>Cutaneous wound management represents a significant clinical challenge in veterinary medicine, directly impacting the quality of life and recovery rate in canine patients. Successful dermal restoration requires advanced therapeutic strategies capable of accelerating tissue regeneration, minimizing scar formation, and restoring the natural structural integrity of the skin barrier. Consequently, evaluating the efficacy of diverse treatments remains essential for optimizing dermatological protocols. This study aimed to evaluate the histological effects of a topical Cicalfate⁺ repair cream on skin wound healing in dogs and to compare its efficacy with Omega-3 supplementation. Full-thickness cutaneous wounds measuring 3 × 3 cm were experimentally induced in the dorsal back area of twelve healthy male dogs under general anesthesia induced by atropine sulfate (0.04 mg/kg, SC), ketamine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, IV), and xylazine (2 mg/kg, IM). The animals were randomly divided into three groups: group (A) treated with Cicalfate⁺ repair cream topically twice daily, group (B) treated with a single daily oral dose of Omega-3 (300 mg), and group (C) left untreated as a control. At designated time a skin biopsies were collected under general anesthesia on days 3, 7, and 14 post-wounding, while animals remained alive throughout the experimental period. Full-thickness skin samples were processed for histological and histometrical examination to assess the thickness of the epidermal layers (stratum corneum and stratum spinosum), dermal thickness, and dermal papillae development. Morphometric analysis on day 14 revealed that Cicalfate⁺ treatment promoted balanced epidermal maturation, achieving a physiological stratum corneum thickness of 19.22±0.18 µm, which prevented the hyperkeratosis observed in group C (51.03±0.14 µm) and the severe thinning seen in group B (7.35±0.25 µm) (P≤0.05). Furthermore, group A demonstrated the most prominent tissue restructuring, with a significantly greater stratum spinosum thickness (60.37±2.52 µm) and dermal thickness (191.35±0.49 µm) compared to group B (7.34±0.38 µm and 88.32±0.3 µm) and group C (9.26±0.27 µm and (47.18±0.17 µm, respectively; P≤0.05). In conclusion, the topical repair cream significantly enhanced the histological features of skin wound healing in dogs compared with Omega-3 treatment and untreated controls. The findings suggest that the repair cream promotes balanced epidermal regeneration, effective dermal remodeling, and improved dermo-epidermal integration with enhanced vascular supply, nutrient delivery, and increased cellularity, making it a promising therapeutic option for enhancing cutaneous wound healing.</jats:p>