Usually, the cause of wounds in dogs is due to little fights and rough play between them and other dogs. They can also be due to sharp objects like stones, sticks, or even their claws. Getting mild wounds is very common in dogs and can be addressed at home also. Here some of the simple dog wound care tips for you.
What To Do If Your Pet Has A Wound?
Types of mild wounds that your pet might get which can easily get treated at home are:
#1 Scratches
Scratches and scrapes are very common in dogs. They can sometimes be very painful if got in-depth than the surface layer of their skin.
#2 Lacerations
These types of wounds can be short, sharp, or deep, which might get due to some sharp stones, sticks, or any other object lying on the streets near your canine.
#3 Burn
Walking on hot summer streets and surfaces can lead their little paws to get burned. They might also burn their mouth and windpipe while eating or steal food that is still hot and is getting cooked.
#4 Puncture wounds
This type of injury is generally diminutive and hard to locate. This wound may not look too serious, but these injuries can harm your dog easily as they become infected because some bacteria and rubble might get trapped at the very bottom of the puncture, which has no easy way out.
#5 Envenomation
Bee stings, ant bites, mosquito bites, snake bites, and many more injuries come with envenomation. Many dogs are sensitive to insect or bee stings and might need to get treated immediately.
#6 Eye wounds
Colliding with some sharp objects or getting into serious fights can cause your canine to get an eye wound, which needs to be treated as soon as possible so that your puppy may not lose sight.
Dog Wound Care – What Should I Clean The Wound With?
To treat your pooch’s injury, the things you will need in your first aid box. Here are some of supplies you need for dog wound care.
- Sterile bandages or liquid bandage dog
- Antibacterial lotion
- Spray bottle
- Sanitary towels
- Sanctification solution
- Pliant wrapping
- Tweezers
- Plaster scissors
How to Treat an Open Wound on a Dog?
Before starting to address your dog’s wound, you need to make still your dog either with the help of some other person, who will hold him tightly for you, or a dog muzzle. Here is the step by step guide on how to treat a dog wound at home. Let’s check it out.
#1 Stop the Bleeding
If the wound on your pooch is bleeding, firstly, put a sanitary towel or cloth over the wound while applying light pressure on it. And suppose the injury is deep and bleeding heavily. In that case, it is riskier than a superficial cut, as the injury can spread unwanted infection, so go to the closest veterinary hospital as soon as possible in this case.
#2 Clean the Wound
Even after finding the injury small, you need to clean the wound precisely to avoid any bacterial infection. Use clean water and towels for such treatments. The wound may look minor but, if not addressed appropriately, can cause severe infections.
#3 Use Tweezers
To remove objects like glass, stone, sticks, thorns, etc., from the wound, use tweezers instead of hands to avoid any infection or further injury.
#4 Disinfecting the wound
Use antibiotic ointment for dogs and sanctification solution on the injured area. You can also use diluted betadine or chlorhexidine, good cleansers, and disinfectants.
#5 Bandage
Apply slightly tight, enough to apply pressure accurately and moderately. Use the flexible tape to hold the liquid bandage for the dog in place.
How to Clean a Dogs Wound?
It is necessary to treat your dog’s wound appropriately to disinfect it from bacteria and germs to avoid dangerous infections. No matter how small the wound is or where it got, you should treat it immediately. That is because it is much easier and less painful to treat a fresh wound than the old, infected, or has healed erroneously.
- If your dog is bleeding enormously or finds the wound more severe, it is better to consult your veterinarian before further advancement in your pooch’s treatment.
- Do not use any alcohol or any ointment containing hydrogen peroxide, which can cause more injury and pain to your dog.
- You must gently cleanse the wound and its surrounding area to remove any crusty or clammy remnants.
- It will help keep the wound rims clean, reduce the possibility of infection, and allow your dog to get healthy quickly. Do not allow your dog to lick or chew around the bandaged region.
When To Take Your Dog To The Vet?
Even minor wounds need to be dealt with with proper care before the infection has a chance to spread in. If you are already late in treating your pooch’s injury, your veterinarian will presumably need to prescribe antibiotics to stop the infection from unfurling further.
If you find it difficult to treat your dog’s wound at home, you are well-advised to go to a veterinarian before the injury causes any damage to your pet. Dogs are tough to make still, and in some cases, you may find it almost impossible to make them stable so that you can address their wound. In such situations, you need to go to your vet for help.
Wounds that are needed to get treated by a veterinarian include:
- Any injury like an insect or other animal bite or deep laceration fully lances the skin.
- An injury that affects a large portion of the body or is likely to cause infection in that particular keen area.
- If an injury causes your dog’s wound to get red and puffy.
FAQs
Yes, you can use a small amount of Neosporin on your dog. This trifecta of a topical antibiotic is ideal for wounds such as abrasions, scrapes, and small cuts.
It is better to avoid using hydrogen peroxide on dogs without vet recommendation, and you can use a small amount of it to clean minor wounds. It is safe for humans but not for your furry friends.
Conclusion
Getting wounds is very common in dogs. Though not all the injuries can get treated at home, some of them can be severe and need to get treated by a specialist. Knowing how to treat wounds will help your dog heal better and faster. Keeping your dog’s wounds addressed adequately on time is as necessary as keeping them safe from any severe wounds and injuries. Check for any uncomfortableness in your dog’s expressions from time to time and act accordingly.