Your dog is your best friend who wags their tails and becomes a part of every adventure you take. Their curiosity levels are also high, so they try to dig everywhere or even enter spaces that are not exactly made for their body shape and size. Well, you can’t really stop your dogs from being curious and enjoying their life. But you have to make sure that in case they hurt themselves in their adventures, you must treat any wound with utmost care and severity.
Knowing how to treat your wounded dog to ensure that they are healthy and are away from any complications is to take expert help. As you scroll down to read this article, you will learn about how to recognize, treat and take care of your dog in case they have hurt themselves. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
1. Recognize the Signs of an Infected Wound
Your dog may encounter several wounds, but it’s not necessary that all wounds will get infected. A small scratch may not be infected, but still checking if it has caused any infection is important. If you see any of the following signs or symptoms in your dog, their wound may have been infected and needs attention:
Pus of discharge from the injury
Swelling or redness around the wound
Foul odor
Excessive biting or licking by your dog on the wounded area
Fever or signs of discomfort
Warmth in the area of the wound
Loss of appetite or lethargy
Once you notice or identify these signs, it’s time you take quick action and rush to a Ballantyne emergency vet in Charlotte, NC.
2. Understand the Cause of Wound Infection in Dogs
There can be several reasons why dogs' wounds can get infected. If you are able to understand the cause of wound infection, it becomes easier for you to identify, prevent and treat the infections.
Underlying health issues: Humans suffer from chronic illness and tend to heal from wounds in a prolonged duration. Similarly, animals take time to heal their injuries if they suffer from any chronic illness or if dogs have a weakened immune system.
Improper Care: The first and most important step in managing a wound is cleaning it properly. If this isn’t done correctly, the chances of catching an infection are high.
Bacterial Contamination: When you don’t cover a wound, it is exposed to dust and dirt which can increase bacterial contamination. Also, when your dog licks the injury too much, it is exposed to more bacteria.
Foreign Objects: Derbies, glass or splinters can clog the wound and further increase the infection. You must rush to a clinic like UrgentVet for immediate help removing the foreign object.
3. Steps to Treat an Infected Wound
If your dog has been injured and has an infected wound you should not stress and follow the following steps to carefully treat the wound at the earliest.
Always Clean the Wound: The most important part of treating any wound is to clean it thoroughly with clean, hot water. You should avoid using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as they may damage tissue and delay healing.
Remove Derbies or obstacles: If an object is affecting the wound or if you observe external derbies, gently remove them using trained tweezers, but be very careful not to push the derbies further inside the wound.
Apply an Antibacterial Ointment: Once you have cleaned the wound, make sure you apply a pet-safe antibacterial ointment that can prevent the infection from spreading. You must consult your vet before applying anything on the wound, as some dogs may be more sensitive and may need special care.
Cover the wound: Excessive licking or biting a wound can damage the wound further and increase the infection. Therefore, if the wound is in an area where your dog can easily scratch, lick or bite, it is best to cover it with a serialized bandage. Get a protective collar to restrict your pet’s head movement if necessary.
Observe the wound: If you treat the wound right, it should heal in a couple of days or one or two weeks. But you must observe the wound to notice if it has healed or if the infection has increased and needs an expert hand to recover.
While you may think that wounds can be managed at home, but this is not always the case. Knowing when to visit a vet is most important if the wound is bigger or has been infected severely. If you notice that your dog is in pain or uncomfortable, you must notice these signs and call your vet. Seek a quick consultation on the phone, explain the status to them, and seek guidance. If they ask you to bring the dog to the clinic, make sure you get to the nearest clinic and get them treated. Taking care of your loved furry friend is always a priority, so never get stressed and seek help from trusted experts.
