Barrier Film Protects Skin of Incontinent Rats

Author: St. Claire Mark B.   St. Claire Marisa C.   Davis Judith A.   Chang Lisa   Miller Georgina F.  

Publisher: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

ISSN: 1559-6109

Source: Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, Vol.36, Iss.5, 1997-09, pp. : 46-48

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Abstract

Urinary incontinence, a common sequela to spinal cord injury, is frequently seen in spinal cord injury animal models. Urinary skin scalding which can progress to intractable skin ulceration, secondary bacterial dermatitis, and self-trauma, also causes discomfort and distress in affected animals. Significant numbers of valuable research animals may be removed from studies due to secondary urinary incontinence complications. We examined the effectiveness of a commercially available skin protectant barrier film product as a means of preventing urine skin scalding in rats used in a spinal cord injury study. The barrier film was protective, no signs of dermal cytotoxicity were observed and the rats did not remove the film. We recommend use of this or a similar product for animals at risk for urine scalding.