How to Use Betadine for Dog Wounds
There are several Betadine formulations on the market. Before choosing one, its a good idea to do some homework. For instance, consider that the scrub version contains povidone-iodine and a detergent, making it suitable only for use on intact skin. You therefore want to look for a version containing 10% iodine in it that doesnt contain the detergent and has lower cytotoxic effects.
When using Betadine, you should pay attention to the following:
Since it is an extremely strong antiseptic, you must always dilute Betadine before using it. If you use it undiluted, you may damage the tissue. Betadine is usually a dark brown color, so you will need to dilute it until it is a weaker tea color. You can dilute Betadine with warm water until it is the color of iced tea. If it is too light, add more iodine. If it is too dark, add more water. If you are looking for a ratio, one part of it to 10 parts of water is a good guide.
To use Betadine on your dog, gently wipe the wound with a washcloth soaked in the Betadine solution. For minor wounds or skin infections, you can do this up to twice a day. It is advisable to perform this procedure with disposable gloves or at least with very clean hands.
The development of the wound must be carefully controlled, and if it worsens, smells bad, is purulent, inflamed, reddened, etc., we must go to the veterinarian. Also, as much as possible, the dog must be prevented from licking or nibbling on the wound, as this could infect the wound or delay healing.
Wounds in the mouth, mucous membranes, ears, and eyes cannot be treated with Betadine.
Soapy Betadine can also be used for baths. This type of Betadine may be used, for example, if the dog is suffering from pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection.
You can find out why your dogs wound is not healing properly in this other article, where we explain the reasons.
Since Betadine is normally used in such small amounts, poisoning is unlikely. But as mentioned earlier, while you can use Betadine on dogs, you must be careful with the concentration. Too high a concentration can cause skin irritation.
Betadine can be safely ingested by dogs, especially after it has been diluted. If the dog licks the wound after Betadine is applied, there should be no problems. It is important to notify the veterinarian as soon as possible if the dog has ingested large amounts of Betadine and shows signs of poisoning, such as vomiting or tremors.
If you want to know more about what to do in case of poisoning, please read the following article, where we explain the symptoms of dog poisoning and how to proceed.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Can Betadine Be Used in Dogs?, we recommend you visit our Medicine category. Bibliography
What is a natural antiseptic for dogs?
Bathe your dog in a mixture of 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid soap. Work the solution into the fur (avoiding eyes), then rinse.
Treating Open Wounds on Your Dog – PET | TAO Holistic Pet Products
Most veterinarians recommend using povidone-iodine (brand name Betadine®). This is an organic iodine with no side effects and does a good job controlling most skin bacteria. Apply the solution directly to the hot spot.