Dog badly burned in house fire has face rebuilt with FISH SKIN
A DOG who was severely burned in a house fire has recovered after having fish skin put on his wounds.
Archer has been dubbed “the Dragonslayer” because of the unusual treatment that aided injuries all over his body and face.
The scorched canine was feared dead after he scarpered from a burning home in Haines, Alaska, while firefighters tackled the blaze back in January.
After being found by the ocean, he was rushed seven hours away for treatment with vets, People reported.
When Archer was stabilised he was was treated by Dr Michelle Oakley, the star of a Nat Geo WILD TV show.
She told People: “We started with bandage changes and set-up a burn unit in my office in town, since we needed a sterile environment where you can keep everything clean.”
MIRACLE FISH SKIN
Archer was taken to the University of California for new treatment that uses the skin of the tilapia fish.
The unusual remedy was first-trialled in Brazil and was found to speed-up healing time on humans and animals.
Dr. Edmar Maciel, a burn specialist, told Stat News that the treatment’s effectiveness was a “great surprise”.
He believes it’s due to the amount of types 1 and 3 collagen proteins in the tilapia skin.
The relief was instant.
Dr Michelle Oakley
In Archer’s case, “The relief was instant,” Dr Oakley said.
Since then the dog has undergone several further operations, laser therapy, numerous bandage changes and more.
The once nasty wounds that covered his face have receded to the size of a quarter-dollar coin.
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Despite the trauma that pet experience, Dr Oakley said the dog always entered veterinary clinic with a wagging tail.
She said: “This one patient is going to help me help so many animals.”