When Every Second Counts: How VETIGEL® Hemostatic Gel Supports Working and Military Dogs in the O.R.

Military working dogs face a level of risk that most patients don't. Research on combat-evacuated military working dogs found that gunshot wounds and blast injuries account for the majority of trauma cases, with hemorrhage requiring intervention in 1 in 4. Law enforcement K9s and search and rescue dogs face similar stakes — musculoskeletal injuries from high-intensity field work are common, and these animals often arrive in surgery with health histories that make every extra minute under anesthesia a liability. 

For the veterinary teams treating them, fast, reliable hemostasis isn't a nice-to-have. It's a patient safety variable. VETIGEL® Hemostatic Gel was built for exactly that pressure.was built for exactly that pressure. 

What Is VETIGEL Hemostatic Gel? 

The VETIGEL product is a patented, flowable hemostatic gel made from algae- and fungi-derived biopolymers. Its components—sodium alginate and poly (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-glucosamine)—work together to immediately stop bleeding through a mechanical process, not a chemical one. 

When the gel contacts blood, it ionically crosslinks to form a strong mechanical barrier at the wound site. This durable barrier enables the patient to rapidly produce their own stable endogenous fibrin patch—meaning the body’s natural clotting process is supported and accelerated, not bypassed. Because the gel is flowable and non-porous, it can be easily removed after use without disturbing the fibrin patch that has formed beneath it. 

VETIGEL Hemostatic Gel is absorbable and designed to be reabsorbed within weeks of application, though minor residuals may take longer to fully absorb. It is terminally sterilized via gamma irradiation and should be stored dry, between 2–25°C, and away from direct sunlight. 

Why Working and Military Dogs Present Unique Surgical Challenges 

Working and military dogs are elite animals, but their demanding roles mean they often enter surgery with complicating factors that increase procedural risk. Two risks in particular drive outcomes for this population: 

What the Data Shows 

Clinical data comparing VETIGEL hemostatic gel to standard of care across common veterinary procedures shows meaningful improvements in both blood loss reduction and surgical time savings. These gains are particularly relevant for working dog patients who are at elevated risk from both. 

Amputations are among the most common major procedures performed on working dogs following traumatic injury. A 20-minute reduction in O.R. time—paired with 30% less blood loss—represents a meaningful advantage for high-risk patients. For enucleations, the 30% blood loss reduction and shorter procedure time reduce exposure to anesthesia risk in what is already a delicate surgery. 

These time savings also carry direct financial implications for veterinary clinics. According to cost modeling comparing VETIGEL hemostatic gel to standard of care, procedure costs using VETIGEL hemostatic gel are significantly lower across all major procedure types. Curious about specific clinic cost savings? Reach out to the VETIGEL team for a full cost comparison breakdown. 

Where VETIGEL Hemostatic Gel Can Be Used 

One of the practical strengths of VETIGEL hemostatic gel is its versatility across procedure types. It can be applied across a wide range of clinical scenarios, including but not limited to: dental extractions, oral mass removals, abdominal and thoracic mass removals, soft organ biopsies, enucleations, spays and neuters, amputations, venous and arterial bleeds, cholecystectomies, catheterization, lacerations, and ear and tail docking.