How to Clean a Dog's Cut Paw
Medium
10 - 15 Minutes
1 Day
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Introduction
Your pup's paws carry him around his world. These soft, tender paws can often become cut, scratched, or even dry and cracked. You should be cleaning your dog's paws during your grooming sessions on a regular basis. While you are doing this be sure to check his skin and his paw pads for cuts and cracks.
When your dog's paw is cut, cleaning it early on will be key to preventing infection. After cleaning you'll need to keep an eye on it for swelling redness and oozing. Some paws may even need to be wrapped or taped with gauze to keep them clean since your dog will still be mobile.
Dog's Perspective
If your favorite fuzzball has a cut on his paw, he is likely very tender and sore. This might mean if you go to look at it he may pull away because it's sensitive. You may notice him licking his paws more than normal, and he may be a little apprehensive to let you treat him.
The Simple Clean Method
Effective
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Step
1
Saline solution
When you see a cut on your dog's paw, start with a saline solution rinse. You can make your own saline solution by boiling a cup of water and a half a teaspoon of salt. Once the two ingredients have boiled, let it cool before pouring it over your dog's paw.
Step
2
Dry
With a soft, gentle cloth gently pat the area dry. Alternatively, you can let the cut air dry and not touch it at all as it may be tender to the touch.
Step
3
Disinfectant
If you have a first aid kit for your dog, it should contain a disinfectant. Disinfectants help to kill germs and bacteria, but they also kill or damage healthy cells and tissue. If your dog's cut is deep, spraying a disinfectant and letting it dry before wrapping might be necessary. However, for most cuts treated at home, saline solution or a mild soap is typically enough.
Step
4
Wrap
Wrap your dog's paw in gauze and tape to keep dirt and debris from entering the cut. Before you wrap, consider applying an antibacterial ointment to the cut. Wrap it quickly after this application and do not let your dog lick the ointment off of his paw.
Step
5
Revisit
Be sure to check the cut at least once a day as it is healing. To do this unwrap, pour solution over the cut, dry with a soft cloth, and inspect the cut. It should be healing. It should not become red or puffy and swollen. If you see any signs of concern call your veterinarian for an appointment right away.
Step
6
TLC
Be sure you are giving your little guy lots of TLC while he's healing. Some extra treats every now and then never hurt either.
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The Inspect Method
Effective
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Step
1
Observe entire paw
If your dog has a cut on his paw, you will need to inspect his entire paw to ensure the cut you see is the only one he has. Depending on where this cut is, you will need to apply first aid get it cleaned up and potentially call your veterinarian.
Step
2
Look carefully
It's always good to know what caused a cut on your dog's paw. If your dog stepped on a piece of glass in your yard, for instance, you would want to know so you can remove that. Inspect your dog's paw, his paw pads, the spaces in between his toes, and the top of his paw for any debris or shards of glass or metal to ensure the culprit has been removed from the paw.
Step
3
Wet down
You may need to wet down your dog's paw so you can see clearly through dirt and fur. If you see debris or shards you can remove easily, do so with tweezers. If you can see shards deep into the skin, you may need to call your veterinarian for removal.
Step
4
Wash
While your dog's paw is wet, use a mild dog shampoo or cleaner to wash the entire paw, especially the cut area. After you have washed your pup’s paw, rinse it with a saline solution.
Step
5
Bleeding
If your little guy’s paw is bleeding, you will need to stop the blood by applying pressure to the cut. You can do this with a soft, clean towel. After your his paw has been washed and the bleeding has stopped, you can begin treatment.
Step
6
Ointment
When you know you have control over bleeding and any dirt, debris, or shards of glass or metal stuck in the wound, it's time to apply an antibacterial ointment. This will soften the tissue and begin to heal the tissue while keeping bacteria away and out of the wound.
Step
7
Wrap paw
Apply a bandage on the cut or wrap the entire paw in gauze and medical tape to keep the bandage on. Remember if your dog is walking on a cut, it could break open and begin bleeding again.
Step
8
Check and recheck
As this cut paw is healing, you will need to remove the bandage or gauze and tape and check the wound for additional bleeding, oozing, redness, and swelling. Each time you check it, you can pour saline solution over the cut, dry, reapply your antibacterial ointment then rewrap.
Step
9
Rest
Try to have your little guy rest as much as he can. The more he walks on an injury, the tougher it will be to heal.
Step
10
When to see the vet
If you feel confident in your first aid treatment and the wound is healing nicely, there is probably no need to see your veterinarian. If the cut becomes red or swollen or continues to ooze, or if it has a foul odor, it might be a good idea to call your veterinarian for a phone discussion and possibly an appointment.
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Caution & Considerations
- Applying first aid to a wound when it initially happens will help you to assess whether or not you need to see your veterinarian right away.
- If you have a first aid kit on hand, it should come with a saline solution. If you don't have saline solution, contact lens solution is a mild saline mixture that can flush and disinfect a cut.
- If you do not have saline solution, you can make your own at home by boiling one cup of water and half a teaspoon of salt. You will need to let it cool before pouring it on to your dog's wound.
- Your first aid kit may also contain different disinfectant solutions.
- If you choose to use hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria consider diluting it with three parts water so it does not harm the living tissue surrounding the cut.
- Once you have your dog's cut clean, consider whether or not he needs to see his veterinarian for stitches or antibiotics.
- If you need to place an antibiotic ointment on the skin, be sure to wrap the paw so your dog does not lick the ointment off.
Conclusion
Knowing your pup is injured is a tough thing to handle, but it is also a time he needs you to be calm and simply care for him. You might not know your best friend's paw is cut until you notice him licking the area a lot. Once you have it cleaned up, be sure to wrap the paw to keep him from licking. Also, remember just how far some tender loving care goes with your pup.
