Subjective and objective observation of Tilapia skin as auto skin graft dressing in cats

Background: The recovery of auto skin graft is a dynamic and complex process which requires suitable environment for vascularization as nutrition delivery to cells and donor skin reception. Aims: This research aimed to determine the effect of Tilapia skin dressing on the recovery of auto skin graft treatment on domestic cats through subjective and objective observation. Methods: Six male Indonesian local cats aged 1-2 years old weighing 3-4 kg were separated into two groups. Surgical procedure was performed in sterile and aseptic environment. First surgery created wound defect on forelimb area 2 x 2 cm in size to whole groups. The wounds were left for four days and then treated with the following treatments; Group I (G-I) was treated by Tilapia skin dressing and group II (G-II) was treated by moist dressing Sofra-tulle®. The dressing of the two groups were replaced every 3 days and evaluated subjectively and objectively. Results: Subjective observation showed that skin was reddish (day 3), bleeding test showed bleeding immediately occurred after incision, and pain response was observed in day 6 post surgery on both treatment groups showed significant different with 95% confidence level (P<0.05). Objective observation in the form of NaCl 0,9% absorption and medicine effect on auto skin graft did not show significant difference between the two treatment groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Auto skin graft treatment by moist dressing showed better healing, but Tilapia skin dressing can be an alternative choice during auto skin graft treatment.