During the inflammation and proliferation stages, you can encourage faster healing by keeping the wound covered, create a proactive antimicrobial barrier to prevent infection, and keep the wound moist. Do not wrap your dog's wound too tightly. This can restrict blood flow to the area and impede the healing process.
Wherever possible, a wound will be closed and sutured in order to speed healing. However, if there is gross contamination or deep infection present, the wound will be left open for topical treatment and to ensure drainage.
Use a mild soap and water solution and rinse the area well. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as these can actually delay healing. Once the wound is clean, you will want to apply an antibiotic ointment or cream. This will help to prevent infection and will also help the wound heal faster.
Bandage the wound — Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover the wound to help prevent contamination. If you wrap your dog's limb, ensure the bandage isn't too tight and could restrict blood flow. Monitor the wound — Change the bandage and clean and assess your pet's wound two to three times a day.
It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months for a wound to fully heal-- so make sure not to rush the process. Your dog will eventually get back to their normal behavior and routines-- you'll be taking them for walks and runs in no time!
Apply an antibacterial ointment to the wound. Triple antibiotic ointments containing bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B are widely available. AVOID any product that contains a corticosteroid like hydrocortisone.
Once the wound has formed a scab, there is no longer the need to cover it with a bandage as the scab now acts as a protective barrier. Keep the area clean, but be gentle so that you do not accidentally remove the scab.
Once the wound is no longer open but still in the final stages of the healing process, you shouldn't need to wrap it in a bandage. However, you should continue to apply both the cleanser and the cooling gel until your dog has recovered completely.
Yep, bacitracin, Neosporin, etc. —all safe for kids, all safe for dogs too—even if they lick it a bit (which they will). Apply a thin layer on the wound and repeat a few times a day until it's dry. Keep them from licking.
Betadine is an over-the-counter topical antiseptic meant to reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin. It contains povidone-iodine, which is a potent antiseptic. For many reasons, veterinarian surgeons use it when preparing the skin for surgery. It is also great for dog wounds.
New soft moist pink tissue should be forming in the area the wound was sustained in. If there is no new soft pink flesh forming where the wound was sustained, and you notice flesh around the wound is looking dark or feeling leathery, this is a bad sign.
Cuts and grazes
Contact your vet for advice if your dog's wound isn't healing quickly, or looks infected. Large or deep wounds are often very painful and get easily infected. A large/deep wound should always be examined by a vet immediately.
Gently apply a medicated antiseptic ointment/betadine solution/chlorhexidine using a cotton ball to disinfect the wound and prevent further contamination. Then, cover the wound with the help of bandages, sterile gauze, or bandages. Use a tape or clip to hold the bandage in place.
Licking might offer some protection against certain bacteria, but there are serious drawbacks to letting your dog lick wounds. Excessive licking can lead to irritation, paving the way for hot spots, infections, and potential self-mutilation. Licking and chewing can also slow healing by reopening wounds.
How often does the bandage or splint need to be changed? If the wound beneath the bandage is infected, the bandage will need to be changed one to two times per day until the infection is under control. Since the purpose of a splint is to help immobilize an injured body part, it is usually changed less frequently.
Your dog's wound will go through 4 stages of healing Inflammation, Debridement, Repair, and Maturation.
Clean your dog's wound two to three times daily with salt water (see image above). Don't use anything else to clean the wound unless you have spoken to your vet - even veterinary antiseptics can slow down healing.
Alternatives to the “cone of shame” are inflatable collars, soft E-collars and neck brace collars. Try covering the wound with soft fabric secured by medical tape to prevent licking. Keep pets busy with other fun things to distract them from licking wounds.
A dog's only real form of helping a wound heal or to provide some comfort to the area is to lick it. Compared to human saliva, which is full of bacteria, dog saliva is relatively clean and full of helpful enzymes that promote healing.
A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.
Change the bandage each day—or sooner, if it becomes dirty or wet—to keep the wound clean and dry. Some wounds, such as scrapes that cover a large area, should be kept moist to help reduce scarring. Sealed bandages work best for this purpose.
There are numerous reasons for wounds not to heal; these can include patient factors, such as underlying disease, aetiology, and poor nutrition, but also surgical factors, such as haemotoma formation and infection.
Can You Put a Band-Aid on a Dog? Putting a bandaid on a dog is not recommended as the adhesive can cause skin irritation and infections. Instead, try using non-stick pads or gauze and tape to protect the wound. Seek advice from your veterinarian for proper wound care.
Savlon's Antiseptic cream is a form of topical medication that can be used for minor-wound care and cuts. It helps with the healing process and prevents infections from developing. If there is a scrape or cut on your dog's skin, you should be able to use this over-the-counter antiseptic cream as a one-off.