Pocket guide: Wounds, healing and dressings

Soft Tissue Surgery 30 October 2026

A practical veterinary guide to wound assessment, healing stages, surgical closure and dressing selection, available as a free download.

Dr Joanna Woodnutt BVM BVS MRCVS

When managing a wound, knowing what to do next can make all the difference.

Should you close it or leave it open? Which dressing is most appropriate? And how can you support healing while reducing the risk of complications?

The Pocket Guide: Wounds, Healing and Dressings brings together practical guidance to help veterinary professionals approach wound management with greater confidence.

Inside the guide, you'll find:

How to classify and assess wounds.
The phases of wound healing and the factors that influence recovery.
When to close a wound, leave it open or delay closure.
An overview of surgical wound closure techniques.
Different types of dressings and guidance on when to use them.

Download your guide!

Soft Tissue Surgery Certificate

ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert)

Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)

Nov 2026

Swindon

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Author

Dr Joanna Woodnutt Bvm Bvs Mrcvs

After graduating from the University of Nottingham in 2016, Jo moved into small animal practice in the midlands, where she grew a passion for client communication and the subjects that most need it - like geriatrics and dermatology. Since 2020 she has worked as a locum vet in the Channel Islands as well as as a content writer in pet health topics.