Not every cut or graze your dog gets will require veterinary intervention, so it's important to know how to care for its wounds properly at home. Our Babcock Ranch veterinarians provide tips on how to do this.
Common Dog Wounds
Dogs are active creatures, and it's not uncommon for them to get wounded. Common types of dog wounds include:
- Abrasions: Scratches or scrapes that remove the top layer of skin.
- Lacerations: Deep cuts that may damage underlying tissues.
- Punctures: Small, deep wounds often caused by bites or sharp objects.
- Burns: Injuries caused by heat, chemicals, or electrical sources.
- Surgical Incisions: Wounds resulting from veterinary procedures.
Healing Stages of a Dog Wound
Understanding the healing stages can help pet owners monitor their dog's recovery:
- Inflammatory Stage (Days 1-3): The body reacts to the injury with swelling, redness, and warmth. This stage is crucial for cleaning out the wound and preventing infection.
- Proliferative Stage (Days 4-14): New tissue forms and the wound begins to close. Pink and moist granulation tissue covers the wound.
- Maturation Stage (Day 15 onward): The wound fully closes, and the new tissue strengthens. Depending on the severity of the wound, this stage can last weeks or even months.
Wounds That Require Veterinary Care
While some dog wounds may be cared for by pet parents, some should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Wounds that require veterinary care include:
- Animal bites (these may look small but become infected very, very quickly if not treated)
- Skin that has been torn away from the flesh below (often occurs during dog fights)
- A wound with a large object lodged in it (i.e., a piece of glass or nail)
- Wounds caused by a car accident or other trauma
- Injuries around the eyes, head or that lead to breathing difficulties
Putting Together Your Canine First Aid Kit
A pet first aid kit and some basic knowledge can be helpful if your dog has a minor injury. Here are a few essential items to keep on hand in case your dog gets hurt, along with instructions on how to use them to treat minor injuries at home.
- Muzzle
- Soap or cleaning solution
- Pet antiseptic solution (i.e., 2% chlorhexidine)
- Antimicrobial ointment suitable for dogs
- Sterile bandages
- Self-adhesive bandages
- Bandage scissors
- Tweezers
- Spray bottle
- Clean towels or rags
Place a Muzzle on Your Dog
A scared, anxious, or hurt dog may bite while you are trying to help, which is why we recommend muzzling your hurt dog before beginning first aid treatment. It's a good idea to practice putting a muzzle on your dog before an injury arises so that it is used to the process and how the muzzle feels. This will help to prevent added anxiety.
Remove Any Foreign Objects Lodged in The Wound
Look for objects or debris that may be lodged in the wound. This is especially important if the wound is on your dog's paw pad and they may have stepped on something sharp. If you can easily remove the object with tweezers, do so gently. If the object is lodged deeply, leave it and immediately call your vet or an emergency animal hospital.
Clean your Dog's Wound
If the wound is on your dog's paw, swish the injured paw in a clean bowl or bucket of warm water to help rinse 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 mild baby shampoo, dish soap, or hand soap to the water.
Do not use harsh cleaners or apply hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or other acidic cleaning products to your dog’s skin; these can be painful or even cause the wound to heal.
Control The Bleeding
Apply pressure using a clean towel if nothing is stuck in the wound. While most small wounds will stop bleeding within a few minutes, larger wounds will likely take longer. Bleeding should stop within 10 minutes of applying pressure. If your dog is still bleeding after that time, contact your vet or emergency animal hospital immediately.
Bandage Your Dog's Wound
Cover the wound with a piece of sterile gauze or other bandages. Avoid using products that contain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroids. Use a self-adhesive elastic bandage to hold the gauze in place.
Prevent Your Dog From Licking The Area
If your dog is trying to lick the wound, it may be necessary to have it wear an e-collar (aka the cone of shame).
How Cold Laser Treatment Can Help
While Animal Hospital at Babcock does not offer cold laser therapy, we can provide referrals to other clinics that do.
Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or Class IV laser therapy, uses focused light to enhance blood circulation and promote cell regeneration.
This non-invasive, drug-free treatment is often used to encourage wound healing and treat inflammatory conditions in dogs. Cold laser therapy promotes circulation and stimulates cell regeneration.
During a typical cold laser therapy session, the vet waves a handheld laser wand back and forth over injured tissue, producing a pleasant sensation that many dogs find soothing or relaxing.
As long as the veterinarian performing the treatment is well-trained and experienced in correctly administering cold laser therapy, your dog should not experience pain.
Continued Care Throughout Recovery
When caring for healing dog wounds, frequent monitoring and cleaning are key to preventing infection and other complications. Check your dog's wound at least twice daily to ensure that infection does not occur and that healing proceeds normally.
Your vet can also share any specific information you should know as your dog recovers. You may be able to find images online to keep in mind as a reference for what normal recovery should look like - try searching for "dog wound healing stages - pictures" (please only do this if you are prepared to see graphic images of wounds and stages of healing).
Clean the wound twice a day with water or a pet-safe antiseptic solution, and contact your veterinarian immediately if it becomes inflamed or shows signs of infection. If you notice increasing redness, swelling, discharge, pain in the area of the wound, or a foul 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.