How to Care for an Open Dog Wound at Home

Not every cut or graze your dog gets requires veterinary care, but it's important to know how to treat your dog's wounds and when it's time to head to the vet. Today, our All Creatures Great and Small Animal Hospital team provides tips on dog wound care at home.

Accidents Happen - Even to Dogs

Even the most laid-back and relaxed dog can have an accident that results in a cut, graze, or another injury that requires medical attention. However, even minor wounds can cause serious infections, so if you are unsure whether you should take your dog to the vet, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Taking your dog to the vet as soon as a wound appears could save your dog a lot of pain and money.

Wounds That Require Veterinary Care

While some dog wounds can be treated at home there are also wounds that should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Wounds that require veterinary care include:

• Animals bites (these may look small but become infected very very quickly)
• Skin that has been torn away from the flesh below (often occurs during dog fights)
• A wound with a large object lodged in it (ie: a piece of glass)
• Wounds caused by a car accident or other trauma
• Injuries around the eyes, head or that lead to breathing difficulties

Putting Together Your Doggie First Aid Kit

Having a pet first aid kit on hand, and a little know-how can be helpful if your dog has a minor injury. Below are a few things you should always have on hand in case your dog gets hurt.

Administering First Aid to Your Pooch

Wounds should be cleaned and cared for as soon as possible in order to avoid infections. Before beginning first aid on your dog, it is best to have someone to help you restain your pup and be generally supportive.

If you are unsure what to do or whether your pet requires veterinary care, remember that it is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your animal's health. When in doubt, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian right away.

Muzzle Your Dog

Because a scared, anxious, or injured dog may bite while you are attempting to help, our team recommends muzzling your injured pooch before beginning first aid treatment. It's a good idea to practice putting a muzzle on your dog before an injury occurs so that your dog is comfortable with the process and the muzzle's feel. This will help to avoid aggravating your pup's distress.

Check For Foreign Objects Lodged in The Wound

Examine the wound for any objects or debris that may have become lodged. This is especially important if your dog's wound is on their paw pad and they may have stepped on something sharp. If you can remove the object easily with tweezers, do so gently. If the object is deeply embedded, leave it alone and immediately contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian.

Clean the Wound

If the wound is on your dog's paw, care entails swishing the injured paw around in a clean bowl or bucket of warm water to help rinse out any dirt and debris. If the wound is elsewhere on your dog's body you can place your dog in a sink, bath, or shower and gently run clean water over the wound. You may want to add a small amount of mild baby shampoo, dish soap, or hand soap to the water.

Applying harsh cleaners, such as hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or other caustic cleaning products, to your dog's skin can be painful and even cause the wound to take longer to heal.

Control Bleeding

Apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel if nothing is stuck in it. While most minor wounds will stop bleeding within a few minutes, larger wounds will most likely take longer. Within 10 minutes of applying pressure, the bleeding should stop. If your dog is still bleeding after that, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.

Contain Your Dog's Wound

If you have antibacterial ointment on hand, apply a small amount to the wound before covering it with sterile gauze or another bandage. Products containing hydrocortisone or other corticosteroids should be avoided. To keep the gauze in place, use a self-adhesive elastic bandage.

Prevent Your Dog From Licking The Wound

If your pooch is trying to lick the wound it may be necessary to have your dog wear an e-collar.

Ongoing Care

Your dog's wound should be checked at least twice a day to ensure that infection does not set in and that healing is progressing as expected. Clean the wound twice a day with water or a pet-safe antiseptic solution, and contact your veterinarian immediately if the wound becomes inflamed or shows signs of infection.

If you notice increasing redness, swelling, discharge, increasing pain in the area of the wound, or a bad odor coming from the wound, contact your vet right away.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Does your dog have a wound that requires veterinary care? Contact our Fairfield, NJ vets right away to book an urgent appointment for your pooch.