Doggy First Aid – Tackling Cuts and Grazes With Your Dog
Unfortunately, dogs are always going to be dogs. There will come a time when they’re going to go on an adventure and wind up with a cut or a scrape. It happens from time to time, so you must deal with it in the right way, exercising responsibility as a pet owner and considering their welfare.
The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that you check your pet over carefully to see how they’re doing. Dogs are good at not complaining about their injuries, which is why you must carefully examine them. Start at the tail end and work your way around both sides up to the nose.
If you find anything, you’ll want to wash the injured area with Hibiscrub. Use a damp cotton wool ball. You can get this from chemists and your vet.
You should be careful about cleaning and attending to injuries. Your dog will probably be either wounded and hurting or high on endorphins as a natural pain response. Either way, they might view you as a potential threat and lash out at you with their teeth. Don’t take this personally – they’re in pain and don’t always know how to respond, be careful and stop if they look like they’re going to snap.
Easing pain and swelling can be accomplished by using a cold compress. An ice pack is also a good choice, but your dog has to let you do that. If you can’t manage either of those, go for a wet, cold cloth.
Sometimes, the cut or graze will be severe enough to warrant a vet. Until you can be seen, you can use Medical Strength Manuka Honey to reduce infection risks. Alternatively, mix water with a bit of salt and rinse the wound twice daily. Just be aware your dog may not respond well to this.
A dog’s saliva contains an antiseptic, albeit mild, so they might attempt to lick their wound. Try and prevent this from happening – it only leads to infections and issues. Try something like Arnica (30c) instead.
Other good medical options include a dog boot for going out if the cut is located, bandages if applied correctly, or one lampshade-looking collar. They’re an excellent tool to prevent them from irritating the wound.
Thankfully, dogs are hardy and heal quickly. If they get a cut or scrape, it’ll generally be as right as rain without vet attention – don’t be afraid to go if you’re not sure or to contact Vetfone, however. As a general precaution, you should ensure that your medical kit has all the necessary tools to deal with cuts and scrapes.
Please be aware that we are not vets. This information is only meant to be advice. We do not accept responsibility for your dog’s health – please get in touch with a vet if you are concerned for your dog’s health.