How to disinfect dog wound your bond with your canine companion is undoubtedly significant, offering solace, companionship, and boundless affection. Yet, amidst the joy they bring, dogs can occasionally find themselves in scrapes, necessitating your assistance.
Fortunately, not every scrape demands a trip to the vet’s office.
For minor injuries that don’t demand professional intervention, arming yourself with the know-how and tools to tend to your furry friend at home is invaluable. Here’s a guide on how to effectively clean a dog’s wound at home, detailing the essential supplies and steps
Assess the Situation
The swiftness and precision with which you address your dog’s wound profoundly impact their health and wellbeing. Allowing time to elapse while your furry friend frolics outdoors with an open wound significantly heightens the risk of infection.
CRUCIAL: When uncertain, prioritize caution and seek veterinary guidance or emergency care promptly.
While awaiting your scheduled appointment, maintain vigilance over your pet’s movements. Encourage walking on sanitized, solid surfaces to mitigate exposure to debris and contaminants, avoiding carpets and natural terrain. Minimize weight-bearing activities to alleviate strain on the affected area how to disinfect dog wound.
What Is a Dog Wound?
A dog wound encompasses any injury affecting a dog’s body, ranging from minor cuts to more severe conditions like open fractures or extensive lacerations. It’s crucial to promptly seek veterinary attention for wounds in the mouth, signs of internal damage, or any injuries beyond minor cuts or scrapes.
Here, our focus will be on managing simple dog wounds involving breaks in the skin, including scratches, abrasions, or small cuts.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BRING YOUR DOG TO THE VET
Certain types of dog wounds necessitate professional veterinary attention:
- Animal bites – These wounds often introduce bacteria deep into the skin, requiring specialized cleaning and treatment.
- Punctures with an unknown source – Such wounds pose potential risks, including infection or exposure to harmful substances.
- Cuts exceeding an inch in length or with irregular edges – Larger or jagged wounds typically signify more severe injuries, warranting professional care.
- Injuries to the chest or abdomen – Even seemingly minor wounds in these areas can conceal serious internal damage, necessitating thorough assessment by a veterinarian.
For minor, non-alarming wounds, equipped with this comprehensive guide, you can confidently administer home care for your canine companion how to disinfect dog wound.
Cleaning & Disinfecting Minor Wounds
When addressing minor pet wounds, the process mirrors human wound care. The foremost objectives include removing potential contaminants to prevent infection and providing comfort through gentle, soothing treatments.
With these principles at the forefront, here are 7 steps to effectively cleanse a dog’s wound:
1 SECURE THE ANIMAL CALMLY
For smaller dog breeds, create a comfortable surface by layering clean towels or blankets on a table. If your dog is larger or your table too small, opt for a spacious area on the floor where you can kneel comfortably.
Secure assistance to gently restrain the dog and maintain their composure. Ideally, choose someone familiar to the dog for added comfort. In the absence of a helper, you may need to fulfill both roles: assistant and caregiver.
Prior to commencing, ensure safety by applying a muzzle or improvised restraint using a leash or strap. While not pleasant, this precaution is essential, as any dog, regardless of temperament, may resort to biting when distressed or in pain. Exercise caution to avoid causing further distress or harm to your pet how to disinfect dog wound.
2 STOP ANY BLEEDING
Effective wound cleaning requires stemming any active bleeding.
Apply pressure to the wound using a small gauze pad or household towel, adapting the size to fit. Prioritize staunching the bleeding over sanitizing the cloth, as the focus is on halting blood flow.
Be vigilant for signs of abnormal bleeding, such as consistent spurts at short intervals, indicating arterial bleeding. If encountered, cease home treatment and promptly seek emergency veterinary care.
3 SNIP THE SURROUNDING HAIR FOR EASY ACCESS
Begin by applying Vetericyn Plus Wound Cleanser to the affected area, avoiding oil-based ointments like Vaseline or petroleum jelly. This cleanser facilitates the removal of detached hair that may adhere to the wound.
Subsequently, utilize electric clippers to trim hair from the wound and its vicinity. In the absence of clippers, exercise caution with scissors or household razors, ensuring minimal risk of skin abrasions.
4 FLUSH ANY DEBRIS
Even if the naked eye can’t detect rocks or glass, microscopic particles of bacteria, dust, or other contaminants may lurk in the wound.
For visible objects like twigs or gravel, carefully remove them using clean hands or sanitized tweezers. Follow by irrigating the wound with Vetericyn wound-treatment solution, which effectively dislodges minute debris.
Subsequently, gently pat the area dry with a fresh, unsoiled towel or sterile gauze to avoid reintroducing contaminants.
5 CLEAN WITH A MODERN DAY WOUND & SKIN CLEANSER (STAY AWAY FROM THE OLD AND DATED SOLUTIONS STILL LINGERING AROUND IN THE MEDICINE CABINET)
Exercise caution in selecting a wound cleanser, as some products may exacerbate irritation, harm healthy tissue, or pose toxicity risks to dogs. To deter licking of the disinfectant, your pet may need to wear a surgical recovery cone how to disinfect dog wound.
WHAT NOT TO PUT ON A DOG WOUND
While chlorhexidine is often touted as an effective antibacterial agent, its use warrants caution. Despite its potential efficacy when appropriately diluted, it’s worth noting that chlorhexidine is commonly employed as a disinfectant for both surgical tools and household surfaces.
Consider this: just as you wouldn’t use the same chemical to clean your floors and brush your teeth, applying chlorhexidine to your dog’s wound may not be ideal.
Research suggests that chlorhexidine can impede wound healing, causing harm to new tissue and potentially leading to complications such as damage to the meninges and mucous membranes. Moreover, there’s a risk of microbial growth in the solution, undermining its antibacterial properties.
Avoid using the following chemicals on dog wounds:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Iodine
- Rubbing alcohol
- Benzalkonium chloride
WHAT TO PUT ON A DOG WOUND
Opt for a non-toxic wound and skin care treatment to avoid exacerbating the wound during cleaning.
APPLY AN ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT OR HYDROGEL
While the wound remains open, the risk of infection persists. Applying a thin layer of antimicrobial hydrogel helps keep the wound clean during the healing process, offering soothing relief for your beloved canine.
This hydrogel is entirely safe if licked or ingested, alleviating concerns and streamlining the care process for your dog how to disinfect dog wound.
COVER WITH A BANDAGE
The same ointment or gel serves as an effective wound dressing by providing essential moisture to the site. Apply a layer and cover the wound with a bandage to shield it from contamination and deter your dog from licking or biting.
A square bandage suffices for most body areas. For wounds on the paw or leg, secure the dressing with an elastic band.
Be vigilant for signs of swelling in the dog’s paw or toe pads, indicating that the elastic is too tight and impeding blood flow. Regularly inspect the toe pads for inflammation, comparing them to the uninjured foot to ensure circulation isn’t compromised. If swelling or abnormalities arise, promptly remove and reapply the elastic.
Herbal tea rinse
Revitalize any wound with the healing power of strongly brewed herbal tea, which can be utilized as a spray, rinse, wash, or compress. Herbal tea rinses provide relief from the irritation caused by cuts and wounds, offering soothing properties while controlling inflammation to prevent further aggravation.
To create an herbal tea for wound cleansing or treatment, steep 2 teaspoons of dried lavender, chamomile, or calendula tea leaves, or 2 tablespoons of any fresh herb, per cup of boiling water. Allow the tea to cool while covered, then strain, refrigerate, and apply or spray as needed, with the option of repeating the process several times per day.
Vinegar water rinse
Apple cider vinegar has a rich history in first aid applications, renowned for its cooling effects. It’s often employed to address various minor topical issues such as cuts, wounds, lackluster fur, skin infections, calluses, and itching. Vinegar not only soothes the skin but also promotes a healthy coat and acts as a natural repellent against fleas and ticks. However, caution is advised: if the wound is open or raw, apple cider vinegar may cause stinging sensations.
For a traditional skin tonic, consider blending herbs with vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio. Seal the mixture in a jar and allow it to infuse in a warm location, whether in or out of direct sunlight, for a month or longer. Afterward, strain the concoction, transfer it to spray bottles, and store in a cool, dark place. Prior to each use, ensure to shake the bottle well. For dogs with white or very light coats, plain white vinegar can be used as a substitute.
Unrefined sea salt
Boost the healing properties of herbal tea by incorporating mineral-rich unrefined sea salt into wound treatment. For a potent wound spray, blend 4 cups of herbal tea with ¾ cup of aloe vera juice or gel, and ½ cup of unrefined sea salt. Alternatively, a simple saltwater solution consisting of 2 tablespoons of unrefined sea salt in ½ cup of water can also effectively promote wound healing. Apply the solution to the affected area for improvement over time.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil boasts medium-chain fatty acids renowned for their antimicrobial properties, effectively combatting harmful bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi, and parasites. This makes it an ideal balm or dressing for various cuts and wounds. However, a potential drawback is that many dogs find the flavor appealing and may promptly lick it off. If the wound is inaccessible to your dog, maintaining moisture with coconut oil proves to be an excellent strategy.
Topicure Pet
Here’s another safe and natural topical spray offered by Pet Natural Remedies. It’s lick-safe for your dogs and serves as effective first aid for cuts and open wounds anywhere on your pet’s body. With consistent application, this product can yield visible results in just 3 days.
Natural wound care offers a gentle alternative to antibiotics or chemical-based treatments, promoting faster healing without risking long-term damage to your dog’s health. Give these natural remedies a try and share your experience with us.
Maintaining A Clean Wound
After the initial wound cleaning, consistent monitoring is crucial. Regularly inspect your pet’s wound for any changes or developments, and consider documenting its progress with daily photographs for easy comparison.
Be attentive to warning signs: if there’s no improvement within a week or if the condition worsens, prompt veterinary attention is warranted.
DAILY CARE AND TREATMENT
For optimal daily care and wound management, repeat steps 5, 6, and 7 three times daily.
Consistent application of a cleaning solution and protective antimicrobial gel fosters wound healing while minimizing infection risks.
When reapplying wound dressings or bandages, soak them in the same antibacterial ointment used on the injury for enhanced healing of underlying tissue.
Once the wound transitions from an open state to the final stages of healing, bandaging may no longer be necessary. However, continue applying the cleanser and cooling gel until complete recovery. Prevent your dog from licking the treatment for at least ten minutes after application to maximize its effectiveness.
Showing Up For Your Furry Friend
Navigating moments of fear and uncertainty can be challenging, but maintaining composure is vital for your injured pup. Your role is to offer reassurance and support during their distress, as they rely on you to understand their needs.
By adhering to this comprehensive guide on cleaning a dog wound, you’ll be prepared to tend to your furry companion in times of need. At Vetericyn, we prioritize excellence in products, and our Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial All Animal Wound and Skin Care stands as a cornerstone of every dog’s first aid kit.
