These types of injuries should be treated by a veterinarian and not at home:
Any injury that fully penetrates the skin (a bite wound or deep laceration, for example)
Any injury that involves a large portion of the body (or an especially sensitive area)
An injury where pus is visible or the skin around your dog’s wound is red and puffy
Even minor wounds should be dealt with promptly, before infection has a chance to set in. If you wait too long, infection can spread and your veterinarian will probably need to prescribe antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading even further.
If you have any doubts as to the severity of your pet’s injury, play it safe and make an appointment with your veterinarian. And only attempt wound care at home if you are confident that a pet will not react aggressively to the procedure.
Recruit an assistant to help with restraint, and use a muzzle if necessary.
Supplies Needed for Dog Wound Care
Make sure you have these supplies on hand:
Electric clippers (scissors or disposable razors are okay if handled carefully)
Water-based lubricant like KY jelly (not Vaseline)
Warm water
Clean towels (paper or cloth)
Antiseptic solution (like 2% chlorhexidine)
Antimicrobial ointment
#4 Clean the Wound
Once the bleeding has stopped, it’s time to clean the wound. Proper wound cleaning can help prevent an infection from developing and speed up the healing process considerably.
Here are a few steps you may need to take to clean the wound completely:
Shave the surrounding fur – If your furry friend is very furry (meaning they have a lot of fur surrounding their wound), you may want to shave it to reduce the risk of contamination. Electric clippers can help you remove the fur gently. Be very careful to avoid cutting any nearby skin. Once you’re done shaving, simply wipe away the fur with a clean towel.
Flush the wound with Vetericyn Wound Cleanser (link) – Liberally flushing Vetericyn Plus over the wound will wash away any dirt, debris, fur, blood, pus, or bacteria that could lead to infection down the line. Note: Don’t try to wash an open wound with soap, shampoo, or any other generic cleaning products. These products may be toxic for your dog and potentially harmful to their wound healing process.2 Many of the traditional “anticeptic” wound care products actually impede healing and harm fibroblast cells. This is old technology and there are better solutions for wound care today!
Tweeze out any lodged objects – If your dog’s wound has any thorns, twigs, glass, or other foreign objects lodged within it, you can gently remove them with sterilized tweezers. A magnifying glass can help you spot tinier objects you may otherwise overlook.If this process sounds a little too overwhelming, you can always call your vet for an appointment and ask them to take over treatment.
Treating Open Wounds on Your Dog – PET | TAO Holistic Pet Products
