Wound Care For Dogs
When your dog gets a wound it is natural for you to be worried. There are certain things that your veterinarian will do and that you will also be asked to do so that your pet will get better better. Here is what you can expect when you take your dog in for wound care.
What You Can Expect Your Vet To Do
If it is possible for the wound to be closed and stitched, then your veterinarian will do so. However, if there is an infection your veterinarian will not close the wound. Topical treatments or oral antibiotics will be given, and the wound will be allowed to drain. Your dog will then be given antibiotics by your vet and you will be sent home with oral antibiotics or an antibiotic cream to administer as directed.
What You Will Have To Do
If you are asked to take home your dog with an open wound, your vet will give you specific instructions. Here are some instructions you are likely to be given.
- Warm some tap water. You may also use some warm salt and water.
- Clean the wound gently and remove any crusty areas you may see. This is very important as it will prevent the wound from being reinfected.
- Massage the area around the wound gently. You should see a clear discharge. If the discharge is yellow or filled with pus for more than two days, you should consult your doctor.
- Give your dog antibiotics or apply the antibiotic cream you have been given.
- Make sure that your dog does not lick the wound. You may need to purchase an Elizabethan collar for your dog to help prevent licking.
- Make sure that there is no skin healing over the wound in the first few days. If this happens too quickly it might obstruct drainage and the risk of reinfection becomes higher. Inform your vet if you notice the skin is healing over the wound too quickly.
What You Should Never Use On Your Dog's Wound
Here are some things that you should never use to clean your dog's wound:
- Soaps
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Herbal ointments
Notice that the above list consists of things that would normally be used on human wounds. Avoid the temptation to use any of them as you will do more harm than good.
Taking care of your dog while they heal is extremely important. Make sure that you observe your dog carefully to ensure that they are healing well and call your vet if there is anything unusual. Contact a vet clinic, like South Seattle Veterinary Hospital, for more help.
Do you absolutely adore animals? Perhaps, you frequently welcome abandoned dogs or cats into your home that you find in the streets. When you rescue an animal, be sure to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian as quickly as possible. This professional can run some tests on your new pet to make sure he or she doesn’t have a disease or other type of medical condition. A veterinarian can also recommend any vaccinations or medications your cat or dog may need. Your veterinarian can spay or neuter your new pet if you would like him or her to. On this blog, I hope you will discover how a veterinarian can protect both you and the abandoned animal you’ve brought into your home. Enjoy!