What types of wounds can you treat yourself?
A wound is a skin lesion that interrupts the continuity of the skin and offers an entry point for germs present in the external environment inside the dog's body. Whatever the severity of the wound, it is therefore necessary to treat it with the greatest care to avoid the development of an infection.
However, there are minor wounds that the owner of an animal can take care of alone and more serious wounds that necessarily require care by a veterinarian.
Wounds that can be treated at home are wounds without a gravity factor. They are recognized by the fact that they are BOTH:
- superficial (they only concern the surface of the skin),
- small extent,
- unsoiled by the presence of foreign bodies such as small pieces of glass, gravel, earth, plant debris, sand etc. or easily cleanable,
- non-hemorrhagic (not bleeding or bleeding very little),
- Recent ET (occurred within the last 4 hours).
When to call a veterinarian?
Conversely, it is imperative to call a veterinarian very quickly to treat an animal's wound if it is:
- deep, that is to say when it concerns the entire thickness of the skin or even deeper tissues or organs such as tendons, muscles, bones or internal organs,
- OR extended,
- OR located on the dog's nose, eyes, ears, end of legs, elbow or knee, neck, chest, abdomen, genitals or anus,
- OR soiled with foreign matter and cannot be cleaned properly by the pet owner,
- OR hemorrhagic (bleeding profusely),
- OR caused by the bite of another animal,
- OR old (occurred more than 4 hours ago).
How to treat a dog wound?
In the event of a minor wound, it is therefore possible to treat a wound in your dog yourself by following the steps below.
Prepare your equipment
Gather all the equipment you will need to treat your pet's wound, namely:
- 1 bottle of saline solution or, failing that, tap water or a bottle of water,
- towels and/or a basin,
- sterile compresses,
- a disinfectant (aqueous solution of povidone iodine or 0.5% chlorhexidine),
- a protective band,
- tape,
- scissors,
- alcohol,
- Optional: disposable gloves.
Prepare your pet and your care space
Install your pet in the room where you will be performing the care. For small dogs, ideally choose the bathroom where you can thoroughly clean the wound with saline or running water over a sink, shower or bathtub. For larger dogs, go outside if possible or set up towels or a basin near where you will be cleaning the wound to avoid flooding the floor of your room. Make sure the room is well lit and your pet is calm.
Ideally, ask another person to help you hold your pet's head during the treatment. Muzzle your dog if you deem it necessary.
Wash your hands
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water then dry them and wear disposable gloves (if you have any). Spray your scissors with alcohol then let them dry on sterile compresses.
Clean the wound
Start the treatment by thoroughly cleaning your pet's wound with saline or tap water. You can place your pet's wound under a medium-pressure tap or under a garden hose by pinching the tip a little.
Tip
If you don't have running water on hand, take a bottle of mineral water and pierce the cork with the tip of a knife, chisel or corkscrew then press the bottle without removing the cap to thoroughly clean the wound.
Dry the wound
Once the wound has been thoroughly cleaned (there should be no foreign bodies left inside, otherwise go to the veterinarian), disinfect the wound by applying an aqueous solution of povidone iodine or 0.5% chlorhexidine (if the wound is not near the eyes).
Protect the wound
After disinfection of the wound, cover it with a new sterile compress then hold it in place with the help of a protective strip (cut to the necessary length using your scissors disinfected) that you will take care not to tighten too much and fix with a piece of plaster. Change the dressing after 24 hours, again taking care to disinfect the wound thoroughly. If you see any signs of infection, see your veterinarian right away. If your pet is able to remove his dressing, have him wear a collar until the wound is completely healed.