| General Description |
In waterfowl
- May see singed feathers, ocular irritation, mild erythema of exposed skin
such as feet;
- More serious burns may include skin sloughing, destruction of toes or
feet, melting of bill.
- Dehydration, lethargy and depression may be seen.
- May be fatal.
(B13.24.w17, B20.14.w11, P4.1990.w2).In
Hedgehogs
- Spines may be singed, charred or melted in patches (spines fused
together) at the time of presentation.
- The skin may or may not be obviously burnt at the time
of presentation.
- In mild cases the skin may be reddened. (B259.w10)
- Blistering or sloughing of skin may occur several days later.
- Animals must be kept for observation for several days even if damage
appears to be to spines only.
- May also be signs of respiratory distress, associated with smoke
inhalation.
(J15.21.w1,
B284.6.w6, B337.3.w3,
B337.5.w5)
In Elephants
- Sunburns in elephants usually affect the head and forehead; the
skin of the affected area is erythematous and peeling. (B10.49.w21,
B64.27.w4)
- Five cases in elephants in Kerala, India, all occurred over
the head dome and back bone. (P64.1.w3)
- Severe burn wounds may be seen in elephants which have run into a
fire. (D301.3.w3)
- Partial-thickness burns may be seen on the feet when elephants
have escaped from an encircling fire. (J62.64.w2)
- Burns may range from just scorching to destruction of the skin and
underlying tissues. (B212.w23)
- Severe burns may be fatal. (B212.w23)
- Large or small areas of skin burns may also occur due to lightning
strike. (B212.w31)
- See also Elephants and their Diseases- A Treatise on Elephants - Part IV - Chapter V
- Ulceration. Sinuses and Fistulæ. Burns and Scalds. Full text
included.
In Bears
In Lagomorphs
- Burns to the face/mouth may be noted with electrical burns after a
rabbit has chewed electrical wires. (B601.8.w8,
B603.1.w1, V.w121)
- Hypersalivation may be noted. (B603.1.w1)
- Following thermal damage due to excessive use of a dental burr
without proper cooling, failure to eat or drink, development of
generalised periodontal infection, with pus visible around the teeth
after a few days. Usually fatal. (if prolonged burring is carried
out without appropriate cooling of the teeth. (B600.7.w7)
In Ferrets
- Burns will occur at the site of contact. (J213.7.w5)
- Burns are likely to be noted to the face and mouth, if they are
electrical. (J213.7.w5)
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| Further Information |
- Burns are usually classified as:
- first degree (affecting outer layer of epidermis
only;
affected area hot, oedematous, painful),
- second degree (affecting whole of epidermis, usually see
vesicles),
- third degree (affecting dermis and
epidermis, with severe tissue damage, dehydration, hypovolaemic shock). Secondary
bacterial infection may occur, e.g. with Pseudomonas spp.
(B20.14.w11).
Susceptibility/Transmission
In Hedgehogs
- Burns occur most commonly in hedgehogs caught in garden bonfires. (J15.21.w1,
B259.w10)
- Chemical burns occur commonly from tins of chemicals
and old car batteries left in garages.
Note: take care when dealing with situations involving
electrical burns; do not risk electrical burns while rescuing a casualty.
(B337.5.w5)
In Elephants
- Sunburns have been reported in elephants exposed to direct strong
sunlight for hours. These usually affect the head and forehead. (B10.49.w21,
B64.27.w4)
- Five cases in male Elephas maximus
- Asian Elephant
in Kerala, India were noted all
to have occurred following administration of acepromazine
together with xylazine and were considered associated with
photosensitization due to the acepromazine. (P64.1.w3)
- Acepromazine is a derivative of phenothiazine, which is a known photodynamic
agent. However, there are no reports of photosensitization from acepromazine
either domestic or wild animals. (B455.w2)
- Young elephants can panic and may run into veld fires, which can
cause severe burn wounds. (D301.3.w3)
- Elephants in captivity may be accidentally burned. (B212.w23)
In Bears
- Bears may get burned in forest fires.
In Lagomorphs
- Burns due to chewing electrical wires are most likely in house
rabbits which have access to such wires. (B601.8.w8,
B603.1.w1)
- Thermal damage to the teeth and associated tissues is associated
with use of dental burrs without sufficient cooling (iatrogenic
damage). (B600.7.w7)
Treatment
- Treatment and good recovery is possible.
- Affected areas should be cooled and rinsed thoroughly, e.g. with sterile
saline, debrided as necessary and topical cream applied. DMSO may be used for acute
inflammation, or 1% silver sulfadiazine water-soluble cream. Systemic antibiotic treatment
is also suggested. Asepsis is essential to avoid secondary infection.
- Fluids may be required (if dehydrated); the use of corticosteroids and
analgesics should be considered.
- Chemical burns should be washed thoroughly and the chemical agent
neutralised, using dilute vinegar for alkalis, sodium bicarbonate solution for acids.
- For alkaline burns, vinegar and water should be used, mixed in
equal parts.
- For acid burns, use three tablespoons of baking soda in 2.25
litres of warm water.
- If not sure whether a chemical burn is acid or alkaline, use
plenty of distilled or cooled boiled water. (B337.A6.w12)
(B11.3.w17,
B13.24.w17, B20.14.w11, P4.1990.w2,
B337.A6.w12)
In Hedgehogs
- If presented soon (e.g. within ten minutes) of a physical (fire)
burn occurring, application of a towel which has been soaked in
cold water and rung out may be helpful to assist in heat
dissipation. (B259.w10,
D66);
sterile saline or cold running water may be used to rinse a burn,
continuing for about 10 minutes. (B337.5.w5)
- For chemical burns, wash the affected area with
cool water for five minutes using a shower head. (B259.w10,
D66)
- If possible check the chemical container to
determine its contents.
- For alkaline burns such as lime, wash with vinegar and
water, mixed in equal parts. (B259.w10,
B337.A6.w12,
D66)
- For acid burns, use three tablespoons of baking soda in 2.25
litres of warm water. (B259.w10,
B337.A6.w12,
D66)
- If not sure whether a chemical burn is acid or alkaline, use
plenty of distilled or cooled boiled water. (B337.A6.w12)
- Silver sulphadiazine cream can be applied topically. (B284.6.w6)
- Clean linen or a sterile dressing is recommended to cover the
wound and prevent infection. (B337.5.w5)
- Oxygen therapy initially for hedgehogs caught in
fires. (B284.6.w6)
- Fluids initially, both oral and subcutaneous. (B284.6.w6,
B259.w10,
D66) (See:
Fluid Therapy for Hedgehogs)
- Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, parenterally.
(B284.6.w6,
B259.w10,
D66)
- Keep warm. (B259.w10)
In Elephants:
- Application of ice to the affected areas. (B10.49.w21,
B64.27.w4)
- Apply a soothing and protective topical ointment designed for the
treatment of burns. (B10.49.w21,
B64.27.w4)
- The ointment should be antiseptic. (P64.1.w3)
- Systemic antibiotics may be given. (P64.1.w3)
In Lagomorphs
- Silver sulfadiazine
- Wide spectrum with antifungal properties; it is also painless and stimulates
reepithelialisation.
However, it may delay eschar separation (it impedes
contraction) and it possibly causes bone marrow suppression if
applied to large areas. (J213.7.w1)
- Aloe vera cream
- Has the advantage of preventing vasoconstriction, ischaemia and
progression of necrosis. However, it is expensive for wounds
with large areas and it has no analgesic properties. (J213.7.w1)
- Hydrogel wound dressing with acemannan
- Stimulates angiogenesis and epithelialisation,
and is non toxic. It has been reported to enhance healing of
burn wounds in guinea pigs. A freeze dried form of this
product will apparently reduce tissue oedema by absorbing
fluid from the wound as it converts to a gel. Daily
application of this freeze-dried form is reported to stimulate
the formation of granulation tissue over exposed bone and
therefore enhancing wound contraction. However, it has no direct antimicrobial
effects. (J213.7.w1)
- Povidone iodine (2.5%) dry powder spray (Betadine Dry
Powder Spray, CCL Pharmaceuticals)
- Can be sprayed onto a burn; can be covered by a dressing. (B601.3.w3)
In Ferrets:
- Wound management:
- Lavage if contaminated. (J213.7.w5)
- Remove dead tissue, this will control infection and increase
the blood vessel activity. (J213.7.w5)
- If the blood supply is not good, the wound should not be
surgically closed. (J213.7.w5)
- Larger wounds may need to be grafted. They can also heal by
contraction or regrowth of epithelial cells. (J213.7.w5)
- Scars may develop in left to heal by secondary intension. (J213.7.w5)
- Secondary infection may occur, if healed in this manor. (J213.7.w5)
- Silver sulfadiazene1% cream (good for treating burns). (J213.7.w5)
- Aloe vera has been used as an antibacterial cream. (J213.7.w5)
Prevention
In Hedgehogs
- To avoid burning hedgehogs or other animals in bonfires, the wood should be kept in a
pile a short distance form the intended site of the bonfire and stacked for burning
immediately before the fire is lit; it should not be lit after being left overnight
without the wood being moved. (B259.w9)
- To prevent chemical burns it is necessary to ensure all
chemicals are kept in containers with properly sealed lids and are
disposed of appropriately. (V.w5)
In Elephants
- Access to shade areas. (B10.49.w21,
B64.27.w4)
- Application of clay and/or dirt to the head and forehead. (B10.49.w21,
B64.27.w4)
- Providing the elephant with a sun pad for the top of its head. (B10.49.w21)
In Ferrets:
- Keep ferrets away from electrical wires, which they may chew,
resulting in an electrical burn. (J213.7.w5)
- Keep ferrets away from sources of hot water. (J213.7.w5)
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