Wound infection rates in dogs and cats after use of cotton muslin or disposable impermeable fabric as barrier material: 720 cases (1983-1989).

A retrospective study involving 720 dogs and cats that underwent a variety of elective surgical procedures was done to compare the effectiveness of reusable cotton barrier materials with that of a commercially available disposable barrier system for prevention of wound infection. The overall wound infection rate, using cotton barrier materials, was 3.1% and for disposable materials, was 4.4%. The difference between groups was not significant.