When to Take Your Dog to the Vet
These types of injuries should be treated by a veterinarian and not at home:
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:
How to Clean a Dog Wound at Home
No matter what type of wound you’re dealing with or what caused it, it’s important to treat your dog’s wound promptly and properly to clear it of bacteria and avoid dangerous infections. That’s because it is much easier (not to mention, often less painful, expensive, and risky) to treat a fresh, clean wound than one that is old and infected or has healed poorly.
However, always consult with your veterinarian first if you are at all concerned that the wound may be more serious. And that doesn’t just apply to large or bleeding wounds. Wounds that appear small may actually be more severe. So when in doubt, call your veterinary clinic.
When cleaning your dog’s wound, never apply hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or other caustic cleaning products to your dog’s skin. These will worsen the wound and are painful to your dog.
Generally, wounds only need to be cleaned after the initial incident, if there is fluid drainage from them, or if exposed to contaminants like dirt or food. If an antiseptic cleaner is recommended, a mild soap (such as baby shampoo, dish soap, or unscented hand soap) is all you need. Your veterinarian may recommend using an Epsom salt solution instead of soap or may even send special wound-care soap home with you.
Cleaning a wound too frequently or vigorously can delay or prevent it from healing properly. That means you’ll need to be gentle, yet vigilant, to keep new debris and bacteria from entering the wound.
In some locations, an unscented gentle baby wipe is the best way to clean around a wound. Do not wipe directly on the wound unless you can see debris to remove, but instead clean the surrounding area. For wounds on the feet or lower legs, gently dry the area with a clean towel every time your dog comes in from outdoors. Wounds on the face should be wiped of debris and patted dry after each meal. And wounds near your dog’s hind end should be wiped and dried every time they go to the bathroom.
A big part of keeping your dog’s wound clean so it can heal properly is preventing your pet from licking, chewing, or scratching at the wound during recovery. Some pet parents resort to elaborate, MacGyver-style systems constructed from old T-shirts, tube socks, and athletic tape. But a simpler (though, not at all stylish) method is to use the cone of shame, also known as an Elizabethan collar or e-collar.
You can get an e-collar from your veterinarian or at many pet stores. While they come in many varieties, generally the hard ones are most effective. An e-collar should be worn at all times, even when sleeping, until the wound heals. Though you can take the e-collar off for leashed walks and mealtime as long as you are actively watching your dog.
To make sure your dog’s wound is healing properly, keep a close watch on it, checking it at least every morning and evening. If you see any new debris, bruising, or swelling, if the wound has a foul odor, or if you notice more than a few drops of discharge, see your veterinarian immediately.
The best way to keep tabs on how your dog is healing is to take pictures of the wound’s progression over time—ideally in a room with consistent lighting so the s are easier to compare. Any changes to the wound that do not look like healing should be evaluated by your veterinarian.
As they heal, wounds progress through different types of scar tissue. The first stage is called granulation, where the wound is usually pink and moist. It is important to keep granulation clean and protected, as it is still vulnerable to contaminants.
The next stage of healing is when that granulation turns into a pink or lightly-colored scar that is dry, but may still be sensitive to touch. At this stage, the e-collar is key because chewing or licking can easily break down this fragile scar tissue, which would put your healing process back at square one.
If you can avoid that setback, the scar will mature, and your dog can be freed from his e-collar. Keep in mind, your dog’s hair is unlikely to regrow from a scar.
Surgical incisions are a different type of wound and need to be treated differently from other sources of wounds. Surgical wounds are “clean,” meaning they are not contaminated with dirt and bacteria the way other wounds are. They should be kept clean and dry according to the instructions provided by your veterinarian. You should not clean a surgical wound unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. However, you should still monitor these wounds as they heal for signs of infection, like you would any other wound.
If a veterinarian places a drain in the wound, be sure to follow their instructions for monitoring and follow-up closely. Drains help any fluid or infection leave the wound instead of getting trapped and stalling the healing process. Drains should never go more than two to three days without being evaluated by a veterinarian.
How to Clean a Wound on a Dog or Cat at Home (the right way!) – Dog Health Vet Advice
Dogs are naturally curious, physical, and exuberant, and while we love this about them, these characteristics can also lead to unintentional injuries. These can run the gamut from very minor to severe and life-threatening. How do you know the difference? When is it time to consult a veterinarian and when can you manage a wound at home? Here are some steps for assessing wounds and treating them.