Your dog’s safety is likely one of the largest concerns you have. When they are sick or hurt, you ensure that a licensed veterinarian sees them and meticulously care for them during their recovery by ensuring that they receive all of the required medication. We love them with all of our hearts and they, in turn, are completely loyal to us.
A dog owner understands that certain situations will come up and that immediate medical attention is required. Unlike humans, dogs do not have a mobile service that will come to their rescue to transport them to a medical facility safely. One or two of these services may exist, but it is highly unlikely that you live within the radius that they service, so you have to ensure that when your dog is in immediate danger, you do what you can to help them, and that is where doggy first aid is a huge help.
First aid is the first line of defence from infection and has been known to save lives on countless occasions. We often do not see the need for first aid when it comes to our dogs, but rest assured, it is essential for every dog owner to be well versed in any first aid they can gain knowledge in to help the dog. All forms of first aid are great to know, but one that is beneficial but rarely thought of is how to treat a dog who comes too close to barbed wire.
Barbed Wire Danger
Barbed wire is a common material used for a number of reasons. The most common cause is when putting up a fence. Barbed wire is put in place to keep something in or keep something out. Whatever the case may be, barbed wire is used in many areas, and sometimes these areas are abandoned, leaving the dangerous material out where any animal can come in contact with it.
Dogs love to run and do not always watch where they are going. A dog running at full speed, as dogs like to do, can sometimes run them directly into barbed wire. Typical fencing is easy to bet out of, but the pointy aspect of barbed wire makes it difficult to remove without tearing at the skin and doing considerable damage. Should your dog become entangled in the barbed wire, this is what you need to have on hand to assist your dog without causing additional damage.
- Water
- Gauze
- Scissors
- Clean Cloth
- Non-stick Stretch Bandages
Treating your Dog
The dog will likely be trying to get himself out of the barbed wire, so ensure that you approach the dog in a non-threatening manner. Talk to him calmly and comfort the dog by petting him, preferably where there is no barbed wire. With scissors parallel to the dog’s skin, begin to cut the hair away from the barbed wire. Should the wound be deep, make sure that you use water to wet the scissors so the cut hair adheres to the scissors rather than falling into the wound.
Clean the wound, ensuring that you remove any large pieces of debris. To ensure that you properly clean the wound and that you minimize the risk of infection, use saline solution during the cleaning. Should you have any wounds that are bleeding excessively, you need to wrap the wound with gauze and apply pressure to stop the bleeding as much as possible. You should apply pressure for at least five minutes and change gauze pads accordingly.
When to Go to the Vet
Minor cuts and scrapes from barbed wire can be maintained and cleaned at home. As long as there is no puss or evidence of infection, you will likely not have to go to the Vet, but if you notice any swelling or the wound simply not healing correctly, you need to seek professional help.
Deep wounds are when there is cause for concern. If the cuts are bleeding excessively and you are unable to stop the blood flow apply a non-stick stretch bandage and get someone to drive you to the veterinarian. You will need to keep the dog as calm and comfortable as possible. Agitation can increase the blood flow, so do whatever you have to to keep the dog calm. Keep constant pressure on the wound to keep blood loss to a minimum. Inform the diver to drive quickly but to use caution to ensure that the dog is not jostled during the ride.
Your veterinarian can stitch up the wound and prescribe any ongoing treatment medication that may be required to ensure that the healing process goes smoothly. Keep the dog from licking the wound as it heals, and most wounds will heal up quickly. Your dog may also learn the value of caution while running from this experience.
This blog post is purely meant to be helpful advice. as we are not vets, and this info is not intended, in any way, to take the place of the advice from your Vet. If you have concerns, please contact your Vet or Vetfone