Histological changes to the skin of Merino sheep following deep dermal and subcutaneous injections of sodium lauryl sulfate.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise the changes caused to sheep skin by deep dermal and subcutaneous injections of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and describe the subsequent healing process.


METHODS
On 6 sheep 20 small areas of skin were each given deep dermal and subcutaneous injections of 0.2 mL of 7% SLS. Biopsies were collected at intervals up to 28 days after treatment and the histological changes in each of the treated skin samples were assessed and graded.


RESULTS
There was no evidence of alterations in behaviour, weight gain or appetite of the sheep following the injections. Initial swelling of the treated site subsided by day 14, leaving a firm, slightly raised crust. At day 21, the treated area was depressed and covered by a scab, which sloughed completely by day 28. There was necrosis of the subcutis and deep dermis 2 min after treatment, followed by inflammation, fibroplasia, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling.


CONCLUSIONS
Injection of SLS caused almost immediate local necrosis followed by eschar formation, sloughing and scarring of treated skin. Deep dermal and subcutaneous SLS is potentially useful as a chemical alternative to mulesing.
Lee
E J
EJ
School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia. effie.lee@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Rothwell
J T
JT
D000818:Animals; D007271:Injections, Intradermal / Q000662:veterinary; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013623:Tail / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate