HEALTH
4 min
Is Your Dog Bleeding? Here’s How to Heal an Open Wound on A Dog Safely
Need help treating dog wounds? Dr Tanaya explains how to safely treat minor dog wounds at home, when to call the vet, and key tips to help your pup heal quickly.
Table of contents
Let’s face it, some of our dogs are hooligans. Jumping over things, roughhousing with other dogs, getting the zoomies and running into furniture. If your dog is accident-prone and frequently ends up with scrapes or cuts, you may wonder what to do when your dog is bleeding or how to treat those wounds. This article will guide you through treating minor dog wounds safely, so you can feel more prepared.
How to Treat an Open Wound in Dogs
When treating dog wounds at home, it’s essential to have a basic first aid kit for dogs Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure proper care and treatment.
1. Stopping the bleeding
Use sterile gauze to apply firm but gentle pressure for 1-2 minutes. If your dog is bleeding heavily (requiring more than a couple of gauze pads) or if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 5 minutes, it's best to consult your vet.
2. Cleaning the wound
To clean the wound, you will need Betadine, sterile or drinking water, and sterile gauze.
3. Preventing future infection
For this, you will need an antibiotic or Betadine ointment.
After cleaning your hands, apply a small amount of the ointment to the wound. Do this twice a day until the wound has healed.
4. Protecting the wound
Most small cuts and scrapes heal better when not bandaged. However, it is important to keep an eye on your dog to ensure they do not lick the ointment or the wound while it’s healing. The trick is to keep your dog distracted for enough time to allow the ointment to absorb. A walk, gentle play, puzzle toys or a meal immediately after application can help. If your dog continues to try licking the wound, an E-collar might be necessary.
5. Don’t get bitten
Even the gentlest dogs may react poorly when they are in pain. It's always better to ask for help and have someone (that your dog trusts) either help hold your dog or keep them distracted while you tend to their injury. Muzzles and E-collars can also protect you in case your dog snaps.
1. Stopping the bleeding
Use sterile gauze to apply firm but gentle pressure for 1-2 minutes. If your dog is bleeding heavily (requiring more than a couple of gauze pads) or if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 5 minutes, it's best to consult your vet.
2. Cleaning the wound
To clean the wound, you will need Betadine, sterile or drinking water, and sterile gauze.
- In a clean dish, dilute the Betadine (1 part betadine: 10 parts water). The solution will usually look like a weak cup of coffee.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Soak the gauze in the solution and squeeze out the excess solution.
- Now clean the wound, gently but thoroughly using the gauze.
- Once the wound is clean, use another dry piece of the gauze and pat the wound dry.
- You should clean the wound right after the injury unless it gets dirty again.
3. Preventing future infection
For this, you will need an antibiotic or Betadine ointment.
After cleaning your hands, apply a small amount of the ointment to the wound. Do this twice a day until the wound has healed.
4. Protecting the wound
Most small cuts and scrapes heal better when not bandaged. However, it is important to keep an eye on your dog to ensure they do not lick the ointment or the wound while it’s healing. The trick is to keep your dog distracted for enough time to allow the ointment to absorb. A walk, gentle play, puzzle toys or a meal immediately after application can help. If your dog continues to try licking the wound, an E-collar might be necessary.
5. Don’t get bitten
Even the gentlest dogs may react poorly when they are in pain. It's always better to ask for help and have someone (that your dog trusts) either help hold your dog or keep them distracted while you tend to their injury. Muzzles and E-collars can also protect you in case your dog snaps.
Treating Dog Wounds: Is It Time to Call the Vet?
Not all injuries should be managed at home, especially when you are unsure of how the wound happened, whether your dog will comply or how to treat dog wounds properly. Here are some situations where it is imperative to consult your vet.
1. Animal bites:
If your dog is bitten by an animal, it is crucial to take them to the veterinarian for two reasons:
2. Severe wounds:
When treating dog wounds, "severe" can mean many things:
1. Animal bites:
If your dog is bitten by an animal, it is crucial to take them to the veterinarian for two reasons:
- Animals have sharp teeth and their mouths are full of bacteria. When they bite, the teeth act like needles, injecting the said bacteria deep into your dog’s wound. These puncture wounds may look small but can be far worse beneath the surface, increasing the risk of infection.
- Your vet may also need to administer the rabies vaccine to your dog, and this should be done as soon as possible- so don't wait.
2. Severe wounds:
When treating dog wounds, "severe" can mean many things:
- The open wound might be large and require stitches
- If your dog is bleeding heavily, it could be from a nicked superficial blood vessel, commonly in the leg or paw
- Deep wounds that affect muscles or joints could cause pain, limping, and significant swelling
While many minor scrapes and cuts can be treated at home, not every case can be handled by yourself. If you are concerned or unsure, it's always best to consult your vet. They can either reassure you or help you get the situation under control. If the vet recommends bringing the dog in for a check, it's better to be safe than sorry. Remember, trying to save money or time may hurt your dog and cost you more in the long run.
Happy pet parenting!
Happy pet parenting!
Keywords:
how to heal an open wound on a dog ,
dog injured,
dog bleeding,
treating dog wounds ,
how to treat dog wounds
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