Dog Wound Care
Despite our best efforts, even the most responsible pet owners will probably face an unexpected injury at some point. Dogs are great at getting to places or situations that they shouldn’t be in. If this happens to you, be sure to know what you need to do to help your dog in an emergency.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not meant to replace any veterinary care. Always follow the instructions of a qualified vet. This article is also mostly about first aid and minor injuries, always take your dog to the vet for burns, bleeding wounds, or any kind of animal bite.
A Pet First Aid Kit
It’s a good idea to have a dog-safe pet first aid kit on standby in your home or if you are planning on going on a trip that will leave you far from a vet. Typically, this should include things such as:
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Bandages and gauze
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A muzzle (Even friendly dogs can panic when hurt)
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Clean towels and rags
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Tweezers
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Pet-safe antiseptic (Povidone iodine or 2% chlorhexidine are recommended, as they do not sting as much or cause damage like hydrogen peroxide)
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Soap and/or saline solution
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Bandage scissors
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Rubbing Alcohol
Avoid giving your dog any medications from a human first aid kit unless they have been approved by a vet or if you know they are safe and in a recommended dosage for your dog.
Common Wounds
Normal wounds you are likely to encounter include (mildly graphic descriptions for sensitive readers) -
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Bite and puncture wounds. Round holes or tears created by an animal's teeth and claws. These can be from another dog or from a prey animal your dog fought with.
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Grazes and tears. These are wounds where the skin has been torn open, they can be small scrapes or large bleeding cuts
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Burns. Burns can be mild or can be open, normally from a dog that has gone too close to a heat source
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Stabs and Splinters. This is when the object is still lodged in the wound
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Blunt force injury. These are bruises and broken bones that don’t necessarily have open skin.
Basic First Aid for Open Wounds
Most dog wound care should be pretty basic. You may need to muzzle your dog before you start tending to them, even a well-behaved dog can snap if frightened or in pain.
1. Clean the Wound
Firstly, you will need to examine your dog’s wound to see if there is any dirt or debris in there. You can rinse the wound using clean water, saline solution, and a dog-safe antiseptic to remove any dirt or bacteria.
If there is any lingering dirt, or if a splinter has gotten trapped under their skin, try to remove it with tweezers or a disinfected tool, like a gloved hand or credit card.
However, if there is a large object, such as a big piece of glass lodged in your dog’s wound, especially if it is on your dog’s body, it can be better to leave it in the wound until it can be safely removed under veterinary supervision. Rather, pack around the object with gauze and bandage around it so it can’t move.
2. Control Bleeding
If the wound is clean, but still bleeding, then place some clean gauze (or a clean cloth) and apply pressure to your dog’s wound. Most small wounds should stop bleeding within a few minutes.
If the dog’s wound bleeds through, do not remove the gauze, just apply a fresh layer of bandages. Do not apply a tourniquet, these are often ineffective and can be dangerous.
3. Bandage and Protect the Wound
Once the wound has stopped bleeding, you can apply a small blob of antibacterial ointment and cover it with a clean bandage. Avoid using a metal bandage clasp for humans, as the dogs may hurt themselves chewing it.
Licking is a natural part of dog wound care, as it is the only way your dog has to examine their wound. However, licking can slow wound healing, so you may need to apply a cone collar.
4. Monitor the Wound
The bandages should be changed every few days or so and the wound checked for changes.
If your dog’s wound becomes red, inflamed, starts leaking pus, or smells bad - then this means that it has become infected. All infected wounds, even minor wounds, should be taken seriously, so take your dog to the emergency animal hospital immediately.
Unusual Wound Care
Bite Wounds
Bite wounds are often small and deep, making them an easy breeding ground for bacteria. While a small nip may not be an issue, keep an eye on any wound caused by a bite, even from dogs in the same house.
Clean the wound as described above, but be very careful if the bite is on the torso. Small wounds can pierce deep and cause internal damage, and wounds near the throat can cause breathing difficulties.
Snake bites are very rarely noticeable. Take note of the types of venomous snakes where you are, and keep a lookout for symptoms. Venomous snake bite symptoms can include.[1]
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Bleeding from eyes and nose
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Bloody urine
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Weakness and muscle tremors
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Vomiting
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Limping and paralysis
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Fainting
While rare, always treat bites from animals as a potential rabies risk unless you know the other dog is 100% recently vaccinated. Talk to your vet about any animal bites, even non-emergency ones, immediately.
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Burns
If you see your dog getting burned, immediately run the burned area under cool running water. Try to hold them there for a few minutes at least.[2] NEVER apply direct ice to a burn, as this could cause more damage.
You can then cover any open wounds with a moist, non-sticky, sterile dressing. You can cover the area with a damp towel. Any visible burns should be seen by a vet as soon as possible.
Sprains and Fractures
If you notice your dog is limping, first check to make sure that they haven’t stood on a thorn or injured their paw. If you notice the limb is swollen, bruised, or noticeably deformed, then they may have broken a bone.
If you see your dog has been in an accident, and you suspect they may have broken ribs or a broken spine - do not move them unless they are in direct danger. You can apply first aid treatment by keeping them warm and trying to keep them quiet. This will reduce the risk of shock.[3]
If you suspect that their leg is broken, then you should muzzle them. You can try to splint the leg using a roll of magazines or by bandaging a firm object to the affected limb.
Do not try to correct any deformities by yourself. Just keep the dog as calm and comfortable as you follow veterinary instructions.
Follow Up Care
Always follow your vet’s instructions, but as a general rule of thumb, there are some things you can do.
Keep watching your dog’s wound for infection. Licking can also slow wound healing and create hotspots in their fur.
Change bandages and dressings every day or so. Try to keep bandages clean, such as with a sock or a dog shoe. Dog shoes can also help by protecting paws from sharp objects and burns.
If you are interested in trying out some dog shoes, try Sparkpaw’s Dog Shoes & Boots Collection for a variety of options.
Keep your dog inside if it is a noticeable injury. Your dog’s wound could reopen or become dirty with strenuous activity or if they decide to go rolling around on the grass. If your vet approves moderate exercise, then you can resume walks, but try to keep them entertained inside for a while.
Conclusion
The instructions in this article do not constitute medical advice, speak to a vet during emergencies and during the healing process.
To treat dog wounds at home, you will need a number of dog-safe supplies, such as antiseptic, bandages, gauze, and tweezers.
To care for a dog who is injured, the basic principles should be to clean the wound, stop the bleeding, apply antiseptic cream, and bandage it or cover the injury. You should also keep monitoring the wound for signs of infection.
For specialized wounds like bites, which are prone to complications, you should normally see a vet and talk to them about rabies vaccinations. Burns should be treated with cool water and kept moist. Do not move a dog who may have a fracture, but if you do, you should splint the affected limb.
Remember, prevention is often better than treatment. Keep a careful eye on your dog and take them to a vet if you are concerned about their wounds. Whatever you do, remain calm and try to keep them calm too.
Happy Walking!
Ext Links
[1] https://animalemergencyservice.com
[2] https://www.veterinary-practice.com