Signalment and history: A 6-year-old male intact Greyhound presented to our emergency service for evaluation of a 3-month history of non-healing wounds after a snake bite. The patient had been treated by his primary veterinarian with several antibiotics, meloxicam, surgical debridement of the wounds, honey dressings and laser therapy, with incomplete response.

Clinical examination: Physical examination revealed 3 skin ulcers of 5, 4 and 2 cm in diameter on the flexor surface of the elbow, the caudal aspect of the forearm and the sternum, respectively. The ulcers presented as craters with full-thickness skin loss and affectation of subcutaneous tissue and muscle. No other relevant findings were detected on physical examination.

Diagnostic investigation: Complete blood count showed non-regenerative anemia (PCV 33%, 37–55), leukocytosis (23,125/µL; 5,000–18,000) and thrombocytopenia (142,100/µL; 175–500). Serum biochemistry and urinalysis values were within reference range. Swab cultures of the wounds were negative.

Therapy: Platelet gel (PG) was made by mixing a platelet lysate (obtained by freezing a heterologous platelet-rich plasma solution at -80°C) with 10% calcium gluconate. Platelet lysate units were thawed at room temperature at the time of application. The edges of the ulcers were infiltrated with plasma lysate, while PG was applied to wound beds. The ulcers were covered with hydrocellular foam dressings. Application of both platelet lysate and gel was performed weekly for 4 weeks. After a week of treatment the ulcers were reduced by 50%, and wound healing was complete after 33 days.

Discussion: PG is a hemocomponent obtained by activation of concentrated platelets with calcium and biologic or pharmacologic substances. In the activation process, platelet granules release numerous growth factors which can stimulate angiogenesis, collagen synthesis and tissue repair. Previous studies in dogs have shown that application of autologous PG to chronic decubital ulcers results in a more rapid healing. Although the use of autologous PG could eliminate potential concerns for disease transmission or immunogenic reactions, in this case we used heterologous PG with no obvious adverse reactions. In summary, PG appears to be an efficacious, simple, and cost-effective treatment for non-healing chronic skin ulcers in dogs.