If you work in a veterinary practice or in the pet industry or in a business that supplies goods or services to the industry and you have something to say - why not become a 'Guest Blogger'?
For more information click here to read our: Guidelines for Guest Bloggers
Managing bleeding and minimising bacterial load after extractions can be a challenge, particularly in compromised or inflamed sites. iM3 Airgid offers a practical option: a gelatin sponge enhanced with colloidal silver that supports stable coagulum formation while providing local antibacterial activity throughout resorption. By reducing dead space, supporting haemostasis, and maintaining a cleaner healing environment, Airgid can help improve the reliability of post-extraction recovery in veterinary patients.
Airgid is a gelatin sponge infused with colloidal silver, designed to support haemostasis and help maintain a cleaner post-extraction environment as it resorbs. Its key benefits include:
When applied, an Airgid sponge can absorb more than its own weight in blood, reducing the ‘dead space’ of the wound and stabilising the blood coagulum. This is the first step in gaining haemostasis. Primary haemorrhage is arrested as the Airgid fits snuggly into the cavity.
Reactionary haemorrhage is deterred as the close-fitting Airgid prevents gaps and secondary cavities from forming when the blood coagulum contracts.
Airgid helps to prevent secondary haemorrhage which is usually caused by infection and can occur up to fourteen days post-surgery. The silver ions of the colloidal silver, which is bound to the gelatin sponge, are activated and as they are highly responsive to the moist environment, they readily reduce the presence of bacteria at the site.
As the sponge is resorbed, the silver continues to be released extending the antibacterial effect, preventing infection and further promoting healing. Local delivery of the silver directly at the intended site of action means less systemic circulation and reduced risk of systemic side effects.
Once the tooth has been extracted and the site has filled with blood, dry Airgid is applied into the wound. Airgid can be cut to size to fit snuggly but should not be compressed.
The sponge will fill with blood and start to encourage the formation of a blood coagulum, and stop bleeding. There is no need for further irrigation as the placement of Airgid stands as treatment of the alveolus. If required, the wound can now be sutured with Airgid in place.
The patient was an 11 years old Cattle Dog x Jack Russel, who is a chronic chewer.
Tooth 109 was extracted due to a severe mesial cusp fracture. The mesial cusp was missing on presentation, and there was mucopurulent discharge at interdental space between 108 and 109. The mesial root was resorbed and unable to be extracted due to inflammatory replacement resorption.
The palatal root and distal root of 109 were extracted, curetted, and flushed. Airgid was placed in the alveoli and the vertical releasing incision made at the mesial aspect of 109 was closed with 5/0 Vilet. Sutures were then passed over the alveoli where Airgid was packed.
Thank you to Dr Kayoko Kuroda (BVSc, MANZCVS Small Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery) of Northside Veterinary Care for providing us with these great photos of iM3 Airgid in action.
Airgid is available in two sizes:
Connect with Lehman:
When you’re considering offering CBD for your dog patients, you’re not looking for trends. You’re looking for evidence. Is this something veterinarians are actually studying?Is there real research behind it?Is it safe for long-term use? Over the past decade,...
