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.
Warm tap water is recommended for cleaning most wounds. Warm saline (salt solution) may also be used. This may be made by adding approximately one level teaspoonful (5 mL) of salt (or Epsom salts) to two cups (500 mL) of water.
Apply a non-stinging antiseptic solution to the area. Chlorhexidine is cheap, extremely effective, and readily available. A 2% solution limits tissue irritation, but 4% solutions are also commonly used. Povidone-iodine solution is another good option.
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.
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.
To apply betadine on your dog, gently wipe the wound with a washcloth saturated with the betadine solution. You can do this up to twice a day for minor sores or skin infections. One great thing about Betadine is that it is completely harmless if it's ingested.
Natural antiseptics include turmeric, coconut oil, aloe vera and witch hazel. For a spicy antiseptic concoction that will also help with inflammation—and prevent licking, because most dogs don't love the smell—mix turmeric from your spice cabinet with aloe vera in a 1:1 ratio and smooth it on the scrape.
Normally, it may take about a week for the inflammation to wear off, but it also depends on how severe the wound is as well as your dog's overall health. Look out for signs of possible infection such as prolonged pain, heat, redness, pus, and a foul smell coming from the area of the wound.
Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm. Try to be quick when changing dressings. Exposing a wound to the open air can drop its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours. Don't use antiseptic creams, washes or sprays on a chronic wound.
If the wound has not begun to heal itself and is showing signs of infection, the vet will immediately begin to remove any tissue that is decaying via a debridement procedure. This type of wound must be left to heal as an open wound-- meaning that it will not be sutured and should be allowed to drain.
Your dog's wound will go through 4 stages of healing Inflammation, Debridement, Repair, and Maturation.
They don't heal their wounds by licking; they simply keep them clean to prevent infection. It is important to remember that dogs in the wild can easily succumb to infected wounds – and they often do. Dogs are not immune to infections due to the slight antibacterial properties of their saliva.
It is used to treat small topical problems like cuts, wounds, dull fur, skin infections, calluses, and itchy areas, vinegar soothes skin, enhances the coat and helps keep fleas and ticks at bay. Be careful, if the wound is at all open or raw, apple cider vinegar will sting!
Coconut oil is considered to have natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties,8 so if your dog has cracked pads or other minor cuts or bruises, it can be safely used as a natural topical antibiotic to help heal and soothe those wounds.
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.
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.
It is also imperative that wounds receive oxygen to heal. Change the bandage every 12 to 24 hours. If the wound appears to be healing well after 72 hours, you can remove the bandage. These wounds are a result of improper bandage placement.
It is a cheap and effective way to cleanse your dog's skin and is generally recommended by vets. You can use an antimicrobial skin cleanser like Hibiscrub chlorhexidine gluconate to clean your dog's skin or to treat light wounds.
Manuka honey is considered one of the strongest natural antibiotics for dogs. It is used to treat wounds and lesions. Manuka honey also helps reduce inflammation. Some experts believe turmeric is among the best natural antibiotics for pets and people.
If available, apply a small amount of antiseptic wound cream such as Savlon or Germolene to prevent infection. Do this just prior to a walk or feeding to distract your pet from licking it off.
For Professional Veterinary Use Only
Use full strength for: Preoperative prepping of skin and mucous membranes. Preventing bacterial infection. Emergency antisepsis of minor lacerations, abrasions, and burns.
Remember to dilute the Betadine solution. The exact appropriate dilution is 1 part Betadine to 9 parts water; but I was told that if the solution has the color of strong tea that is close enough.
Clean any minor wounds or cuts in clean warm water only (DO NOT USE DETTOL OR TCP) and apply a mild antiseptic cream or gel if available (eg. Germolene)