A veterinarian applies fish skin as an innovative treatment to aid a dog severely burned in a fire
In January, Archer, a dog from Alaska, was severely burned when his home was consumed by fire. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found Archer trapped in the flames.
In a panic, the frightened dog fled as the firefighters attempted to rescue him, sparking concern about his chances of survival.
Luckily, Archer was found soon after near the ocean and rushed to the nearest vet. Living in the remote town of Haines, Alaska, emergency veterinary services are limited.
In situations like this, Dr. Michelle Oakley, the star of the Nat Geo WILD show *Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet*, often steps in with her vast experience in animal care.
However, as Dr. Oakley was returning from California at the time, Archer had to endure a grueling seven-hour car ride through harsh weather to reach the closest available vet for treatment.
Once his condition stabilized, Archer was able to return home and begin his long recovery, with Dr. Oakley by his side.
Dr. Oakley set up a specialized burn unit in her office to maintain a sterile environment for Archer’s care.
Despite her best efforts, it soon became clear that Archer needed further assistance, so she consulted a burn specialist from The University of California, Davis.
The specialist recommended an unconventional yet promising treatment—using tilapia fish skin to cover the burns and aid in healing. The specialist even visited Archer to demonstrate the procedure.
Soon, Archer was covered in fish skin, earning him the nickname «Archer the Dragonslayer» due to his scaly appearance. Dr. Oakley noted that the relief was immediate, especially for the burns on his face, which were particularly severe.
The local community rallied around Archer, with Dr. Oakley offering her services free of charge while Haines residents helped cover the additional medical costs, including surgeries, laser therapy, and numerous bandage changes.
With time, care, and the healing power of fish skin, Archer transformed from a terrified burn victim to a happy, fully healed dog, with only a small bald spot left on his face from the burns.
Dr. Oakley credits Archer for his determination and fighting spirit throughout his recovery. Despite his pain, Archer never showed up for a vet visit without wagging his tail.
Dr. Oakley also sees his recovery as a valuable learning experience, as it has expanded her knowledge of burn treatments and will help her care for other animals suffering from similar injuries.
Reflecting on the months spent helping Archer, Dr. Oakley considers it one of the highlights of her career, noting that his journey has not only healed him but will also allow her to help countless other animals in the future.
