In fact, your dog will likely heal just fine without any medical intervention. Even so, you will want to take care of your dog's wound and make sure that it heals properly. The best way to do this is to use dog wound care products that are specifically designed for dog wounds.
Using a cleanser such as diluted betadine or chlorhexidine, which are often included in a packaged first aid kit, gently clean the injured area. Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as these can damage the tissue and delay healing. Cover up the wound with a bandage.
Signs of infection in a wound include: Redness. Swelling. Heat.
A foul smell could be a sign of an infected wound. Streaking - You may notice red streaks around your dog's wound. These are potential symptoms of lymphangitis or an infection of the lymph vessels. Excessive bleeding - Sometimes, bleeding happens after surgery, but too much blood could signify something more serious.
Symptoms include increasing pain, swelling, and redness. More severe infections may cause nausea, chills, or fever.
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.
As long as you don't see the blackened or dying tissue and you do see new soft pink tissue forming, that means the wound is healing appropriately and soon the maturation stage of the wound will begin, As the wound enters the final stage of healing the wound will be much smaller and the flesh will be less of a pink ...
A squirt bottle or an even stream of warm water can remove stubborn dirt. Dry the Wound: Once the wound is clear, gently dab the area with a paper towel. Apply Antiseptic and Antimicrobial Liquid: Apply your antiseptic to the cut. Then apply your antimicrobial liquid to encourage the best and quickest healing.
At the vet, they will take a sample from the infected wound to confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause of infection. By identifying what bacteria caused the infection, the vet can prescribe the proper dose and variety of antibiotics for your pup. They may also provide anti-inflammatory medication and a collar.
Minor Injuries, Scrapes & Bruises. These can sometimes be handled at home. If your pet has a scrape or wound in an area of an inch or two, first aid may be all that is needed. Larger or deeper wounds need medical attention and cat or dog bites always need veterinary attention.
What should I clean the wound with? 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.
Gently apply a medicated antiseptic ointment/betadine solution/chlorhexidine using a cotton ball to disinfect the wound and prevent further contamination.
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.
It is also imperative that wounds receive oxygen to heal. Change the bandage every 12 to 24 hours.
Signs of Wound Infection in Dogs
Common symptoms of an infected wound are evidence of swelling, pain, redness, and discharge (especially bloody or yellow discharge). Many pets will also have a fever and can have decreased appetite and lethargy. Some pets will also lick at an infected wound.
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.
Once you stop the bleeding and clean the wound, you should apply a clean bandage. Here's why: Air dries out the wound and promotes cell death, not healing.
Bandage Your Dog's Wound
If you have antibacterial ointment on hand you may want to apply a small amount to the area before covering the wound with a piece of sterile gauze or another bandage. Avoid using products that contain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroids.
Your dog's wound will go through 4 stages of healing Inflammation, Debridement, Repair, and Maturation. Inflammation is when the initial wound happens and the immune system activates and sends cells to fight infection and temporarily repair the damage.
Ongoing Care. Monitor your pup's wound at least twice a day to ensure that infection doesn't set in and healing is proceeding as expected. Clean the wound with water or a pet-safe antiseptic solution twice a day, contact your vet immediately if the wound become inflamed and shows signs of infection.
Check your dog's wound at least twice a day to ensure that infection does not develop and that normal healing is taking place. If the wound becomes inflamed or shows signs of infection, clean it twice a day with water or a pet-safe antiseptic solution and contact your veterinarian right away.
Clean The Area
To make saline solution at home simply boil some water, add table salt and stir until it's dissolved before letting it cool to a skin-comfortable temperature. Once the wound is clean, pat the area dry with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. Apply a non-stinging antiseptic solution.
Chlorhexidine is a topical antiseptic solution applied to a dog's skin. It works against bacterial and fungal growth that can cause skin infections in dogs. Chlorhexidine gluconate is one of the most common forms. Chlorhexidine typically appears as a dark-blue colored solution.
Apply an antibacterial cream or ointment to the wound. Apply a bandage to cover the wound and to prevent your dog from accessing and contaminating the wound. Clean the wound with the antiseptic solution two or three times a day and apply the antibiotic ointment until the skin is healed.