Tail Wounds in Military Working Dogs: Clinical Characterization and a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of Photobiomodulation.

PBM did not improve tail wound healing in military working dogs; persistent trauma likely limits recovery.

This prospective study characterized tail wounds in military working dogs (MWDs) and evaluated photobiomodulation (PBM) as an adjunctive treatment in a randomized, sham-controlled trial. The observational cohort included 21 MWDs (mean age 4.1±2.2 years; 95% male; predominantly Belgian Malinois), revealing that tail wounds were predominantly chronic (≥1 month duration; 76%) and recurrent (62%), with moderate-to-marked bleeding in 53% of cases. Thermal imaging confirmed preserved perfusion at wound sites, with wound bed temperatures significantly higher than surrounding tissue (Δ2.8±0.7°C; p<0.001). In the randomized interventional subset (n=16; PBM n=8, sham n=8), dogs received daily PBM or sham treatment for 2 weeks, with wounds assessed using surface measurements, thermal imaging, and a modified canine Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT). The primary outcome—change in wound area—showed no significant difference between groups over the treatment period. Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in surrounding hairless area without a significant between-group difference (p=0.077), and BWAT scores showed non-significant improvement in both groups. PBM, as applied in this protocol, did not accelerate wound healing in MWDs. The authors propose that persistent mechanical trauma to the tail tip is the primary limiting factor, overriding any potential benefit from adjunctive PBM. These findings highlight the need for mechanical trauma prevention as a cornerstone of tail wound management in working dogs.

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