What are Puncture Wounds?
Bite wounds from other dogs make up about 10% of the trauma seen in veterinary clinics. Other reasons a dog may have a puncture wound are gunshots, arrow wounds, car accidents, falls, or getting punctured with sticks, metal or any other sharp object. Infection from the biting animal’s mouth, from your dog licking his wound, from the penetrating object, or from the environment can cause an infection. While you can clean a wound at home, it is important to get your dog to a clinic to assess the severity of your dog’s injuries, and receive proper treatment.
Puncture wounds are any wounds that breaks through the skin and enter the body. In dogs, a common puncture wound is caused by a bite by another dog or animal. Any kind of penetration carries a high risk of infection, and can be indicative of unseen internal damage.
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Symptoms of Puncture Wounds in Dogs
Signs of puncture wounds include:
- Punctured skin
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Redness of skin
- Watery discharge
- Pain
- Infection
- Shock
You may see secondary signs if your dog’s wound has become infected, or an abscess has formed. These include:
- Fever
- Depression
- Decreased movement
- Discharge that is foul smelling, thick, bloody, or colored from wound
- Decrease in appetite
- Decrease in thirst
Causes of Puncture Wounds in Dogs
Causes of a penetrating wound include:
- Bite from another dog or animal
- A fall from a high place
- Gunshot or arrow injury
- Car accidents
- Punctures from a sharp object, such as sticks, arrows or metal
- Impalement on a sharp object
Diagnosis of Puncture Wounds in Dogs
If you know what has caused the puncture wound in your dog, tell your veterinarian, as this can help determine treatment. Your veterinary caregiver will examine the wound, and assess the size, the kind of wound, and the degree of infection. Other tests may be utilized to determine the extent of any internal injuries. These can include X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, and blood and urine tests.
If the wound is on a leg, your dog cannot walk, or has a large amount of swelling, X-rays can help determine if there is a fracture. Gunshot wounds can have life-threatening complications if any vital organs were damaged, and will be thoroughly assessed.
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Treatment of Puncture Wounds in Dogs
While waiting for medical help, or a prognosis for a treatment plan, try to keep your dog from licking his wounds. Calm your dog as best you can, and try to prevent movement. Wrapping your dog in a blanket can help his body temperature from dropping, and can keep him calm. Try to stabilize any object that is still present in the wound, such as a stick or arrow. Do not try to pull out any foreign object, as it may make the situation worse. If the wound is in the chest, and you can hear sounds of sucking in the wound, cover it with plastic wrap.
At your veterinary clinic, sedation and pain medication may be given, often as an injection. Wounds are cleaned of any debris, and dead tissue is removed. All the hair near the wound will be clipped to prevent contamination.
Depending on the age and size of the wound, as well as the severity of infection, your veterinarian will choose to either leave the wound open or surgically close it. Small wounds may heal over on their own, while old or highly contaminated wounds may be left open at first and closed at a later date.
Surgical closure for more severe wounds may be done with sutures or staples. Drain tubes may be inserted in a closed wound to aid in drainage, especially if there is an abscess present.
If an abscess has formed, it will likely need to be surgically opened. Then, it will be cleaned and drained, and left to heal as an open wound to promote drainage and prevent further infection. There is a greater risk of an abscess forming in older or more contaminated wounds, or if there is a large open space under the wound after it has been closed.
Treatment for a bite wound on the leg can include splints, casts, and bandage changes. Antibiotics are almost always given, and anti-inflammatories and pain medications are prescribed as needed.
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Recovery of Puncture Wounds in Dogs
Your veterinarian will give you instructions for home care that usually include keeping the puncture wounds clean, and changing bandages. Bandages should be checked for blood, dirt, wetness and tightness. If drainage from the wound is clear, that is a good sign of healing. However, if drainage is thick, bloody, yellow or green, contact your veterinarian, as this means the wound is still infected. Leg bandages may need extra protection from becoming wet or dirty outside.
Use only tap water or a warm saline solution to clean wounds. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, soaps, shampoos, oils, or herbal teas to clean the wound unless approved by your veterinarian. They can delay healing, or can be toxic if taken internally.
Antibiotics and pain medications may be prescribed, and need to be used as directed. Do not discontinue use of antibiotics early unless instructed by your veterinarian. Keep your dog from licking or chewing any wounds or bandages, and use an Elizabethan collar to help prevent that if needed.
Puncture Wounds Average Cost
From 530 quotes ranging from $800 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
Top
Puncture Wounds Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Maltese
11 Years
46 found this helpful
46 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Small hole, seems like a tooth hole, but can’t be positive in the back of neck. Cleaned bleeding and trimmed hair best I could, no bleeding is occurring. What should I do, vets are currently closed
March 6, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
46 Recommendations
Hello, you can also apply neosporin to this area too.
March 6, 2021
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Mutt
Three Years
11 found this helpful
11 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog is supposedly a Labrador, German Shepard, Golden retriever mix so he is very high energy. He wagged his tail very hard and got cut on glass. I was able to locate the wound and it on the bottom of his tail. It has stopped bleeding and he dog allows me to wrap it. He is very sad and sometimes whimpers randomly. I’m not sure if I need to see a vet or if he is able to heal at home.
March 3, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
11 Recommendations
As he sounds to be in pain, a vet visit is best.
This way we can clip the fur and properly assess the wound. In some cases, sutures will be needed after a thorough clean.
For most, antibiotics to prevent infection and anti inflammatories and pain relief will be prescribed.
The vet can also ensure the dressing is applied correctly and provide advice on how long a dressing will be needed.
March 3, 2021
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Dachshund
Twelve Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog got in a fight with my other dog and obtained 6 wounds to the face and lost three teeth. One wound in particular i believe punctured the air way on her nose. Currently it’s swollen and moves when she exhales. She also has to intake through her mouth and exhale through her nose. Should I be worried?
Jan. 16, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
12 Recommendations
Yes, this is definitely cause for concern.
I'm very sorry this has happened.
Your dog needs to see a vet immediately.
Oftentimes, a lot of the damage is under the skin and not visible so there may be worse damage than anticipated.
At a minimum, she will need pain relief, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
She may also need surgery to repair the damage to her nose.
Jan. 16, 2021
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Shih Tzu with Yorky
Four Years
11 found this helpful
11 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog got bit by a dog however there’s no blood but his eye is also red. What can that mean. I don’t have 500 dollars
Dec. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
11 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It is possible that his eye was injured when he was bitten, or his blood pressure may have been high enough that he ruptured a blood vessel in his eye. If the redness is not improving, or he is squinting or there is any discharge, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian.
Dec. 24, 2020
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Pit Bull
4 Years
15 found this helpful
15 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My 4yr old blue nose pitbull and my 2yr old blue nose buliepit got into a fight and one if the dogs got her ear all bitten up really bad. I took her to vac emergencies but I don't hv $865 to pay for sedation and cleaning or antibiotics so I brought her home. They did put a wrap around her head to stop the bleeding and what not. Im just wondering if when I should take the wrap off and if i should clean it and rewrap.it and if there is a cheaper way to atleast get some antibiotics?
Dec. 23, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
15 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this.
Unfortunately, dog bites can develop nasty infections as their mouth are full of bacteria.
Yes, we should change the dressing daily and clean the area with an antiseptic cleaning product or salt water.
There is no doubt that both pain relief and antibiotics are needed.
If you go to a regular vet (not an emergency clinic) during regular hours, it won't be that expensive for a regular consultation and some medicine. I suspect it was the sedation & procedure that would have been expensive in the other clinic.
Dec. 23, 2020
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Beagle
Mollie
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shallow Rapid Breathing
Pain
Bleeding
Wound
Sad
Anxiety
My fiance's pit/Mastiff bit my beagle this morning. She has a laceration where I can see the flesh of her mouth. I am not sure if it went all the way through... But he is in massive discomfort and cannot really get settled. I am calming her, and cleaned the cut with hydrogen peroxide. I also gave her a non-drowsy allergy pill to try and calm her. She is trying to sleep, but wakes up and moans a bit with a mouth movement of pain. What can I give her for pain? She will not allow me to get inside the mouth to see if it went all the way through.... But I did see some blood on the inside . Just a little. She did let me clean it.... I'm just scared.. this has NEVER happened before. I love my baby. The vets are closed and I work night shift law enforcement. What can I do to ensure she will be okay?
Chihuahua
Leo
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding
Depressed
Decreased Thirst
Decreased Hunger
My chihuahua got attacked by 2 bigger German shepherds and has a pretty big bite wound on his leg and the wound goes more than just over the superficial layer he has teeth marks where the dogs dug their teeth and ripped off chunks of his fur. this happened today at around 12 and the vets are closed what can i do to avoid infection and how to clean the wound or what to do to try and help my dog.
Puncture Wounds Average Cost
From 530 quotes ranging from $800 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
