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
Yorkie
Five Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wont Eat
She was attacked yesterday morning and seemed ok until after I took her to the vet she got staples and now she won’t eat or drink, however I got her to drink very lil bit of water but not sure if it was even enough
Oct. 22, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
2 Recommendations
Hi there, you are through to Dr Linda.
I'm sorry to hear your little Yorkie was attacked and hope that you and her are doing okay; it must have been quite the shock.
She likely had lots of adrenaline yesterday and now that that has all gone she is feeling deflated, bruised and probably a little anxious.
If the injury was in an area such as the neck or chest, I would want to confirm there has been no deeper trauma. Sometimes, it can be necessary to do an x-ray to rule out further trauma such as a tear in the windpipe; especially if the attacker was a large breed.
Make sure she is getting plenty of anti-inflammatories, pain meds and she should also be on antibiotics if the skin was pierced. Allow her to rest and tempt her to eat with yummy meals like warm chicken or white fish and rice.
If she continues to not eat, we would worry about dehydration and low blood sugar given her small size. Her lack of appetite could be an indication that her pain is not well enough controlled and I would request something stronger from you vet.
Wishing her a very speedy recovery.
Oct. 22, 2020
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Pitbull
Six Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling And A Bite
Idk what going on this dog bit her and now her neck is swelling up??!
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. That is certainly an ugly bite wound, and bite wounds can get very infected, quickly. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as she probably needs oral antibiotics.
I hope that all goes well for her.
Oct. 4, 2020
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Pitbull terrior mix/lab
One Year
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Infected Back Leg
My dogs inner back leg is raw and has puss. We have no idea how this started or what to do for him. Please help....what is this??
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
That looks like a somewhat severe skin infection, and may have started with a wound of some sort. It would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian right away, as they will be able to look at him and get therapy so that it doesn't continue to get worse.
I hope that he is okay.
Oct. 9, 2020
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Terrier mix
Four Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain Punture Wounds Wasattacked By A Biger Dog
He was attacked by a bigger dog the other night he has bite marks all over but mainly on back of his shoulders where the dog picked him up and shock him and it looks to be bleeding or some kind of draining he won’t let me get near him he’s been very distant keeps to himself hiding away from us he is drinking water but is very distant that’s why I have not been able to take him to vet I’m unable to catch him he’s been sleeping a lot he does use the bathroom but he’s not himself it’s been 4 days now
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this platform is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that he is okay - he needs to see a veterinarian, as there can be extensive damage from an injury like that.
Oct. 10, 2020
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French Bulldog
Two Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Puncture Wound
My dog suffered a puncture wounds 2 weeks ago, he has been on antibiotics since. His behaviour has returned to normal he is running and playing. I wondered if any other treatment would be necessary?
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. .
If the wound is healed, his medications are finished, and he seems to be doing well, you may be fine to breathe easier and know that he is okay. If you are not sure, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and help get treatment if it is appropriate.
Oct. 13, 2020
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Jack Russell paterdale / staffy cross lercher
Trixie(3) Lou’Lou(9 months)
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bite
Little Blood
Deep
Hi, I have 2 dogs both bitches, one just under a year 9 months she’s a (staffy cross lercher), then my other dog she’s 3 years she’s a (Jack Russell cross patter-dale), we was walking them, they was fine then my partner thrown a stick they both went for it, my younger dog pounced on my 3 year old dog pinned her down by her neck ragged her about, we ran over stopped the fight as quick as we could, I noticed my oldest have a small deep puncher wound on her neck, what was bleeding, my youngest didn’t have any marks, I’m worried as I’ve read some stuff on the Internet, explaining you can tell a dogs intentions on where the location of the bites are.. as it being on her neck it’s intention to kill. Also I haven’t taken her to a vet as it is one small puncher area but seems deep.. she’s in pain in that area because she’s growling when I touch, to let me know.. I just need advice to what next.
Thanks you 😁
Chihuahua
leo
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Punctured Wound
My chihuahua was bitten by a german shepard today and has a slice on his neck. at first he was crying and would not let me go near the wound. after a few hours he allowed me to wash and wrap the wound with neosporin. he currently seems to be very mellow, is it necessary to take him to the vet i would prefer not to due to finances
Puncture Wounds Average Cost
From 530 quotes ranging from $800 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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