How to Clean a Puppy's Wound
Easy
5 - 15 Minutes
1 Day
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Introduction
Puppies can get into all kinds of things. These things could include fights with other animals and objects around your home or in your yard that can wound your new little friend. Any time your puppy has a wound, you will need to get it nice and clean and keep an eye on it so it does not become worse and infected. Wounds can happen with your little guy in various places, including inside your home or even outside in your yard or neighborhood where he plays. Open wounds need to be dealt with as quickly as possible to avoid potential infection.
Dog's Perspective
Your puppy made be hurt and potentially even scared. Or he may not slow down long enough to even know that something happened to him. Every puppy is different and they all handle injuries in a different way. Remain calm and give your puppy things you know will provide comfort.
The Saline Rinse Method
Effective
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Step
1
Warm water
Start with a warm water rinse to clean out any dirt and debris. Pour from the center of the wound rinsing dirt out toward the outer areas of the wound.
Step
2
Saline
Once you have rinsed the wound initially with warm water, pour saline solution over the wound. This will help with disinfecting the wound and assist with early stages of healing.
Step
3
Dry
Gently pat the area dry with gauze or a fiber-free cloth. If you do not have a cloth that won’t leave a residue, allow the wound to air dry. Just be sure to keep your puppy’s tongue off the wound while it’s drying.
Step
4
Inspect
Once the wound is dry, inspect it for any additional dirt or debris if necessary. If you see anything, rinse again.
Step
5
Ointment
Apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the wound. Keep your dog from licking or chewing on the wound by covering it with gauze.
Recommend grooming method?
The Tissue Trauma Method
Effective
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Step
1
Clean rinse
Keep the area rinsed several times a day with saline solution. If you make your own solution at home, be sure to make a new batch for each rinse. Adding a teaspoon of Epsom salt to two cups of boiling water makes an easy rinse. Always cool before pouring onto your puppy.
Step
2
Pat wound dry
Pat the area dry. With each rinse, you should begin to see a healthy pink skin forming on the outer edges of the wound.
Step
3
Topical
Apply a topical antibiotic or aloe vera to the skin to aide in healing and to keep bacteria from forming.
Step
4
Cover
To keep the wound soft and moist and to avoid it scabbing over, cover the wound with gauze. If the wound dries out, it could scab over and cause itching.
Step
5
Assess
Be sure to uncover to rinse and apply topical ointments at least twice a day. If you notice the wound getting crusty, you may need to do this more often. Observe healing and watch for signs of infection.
Recommend grooming method?
Caution & Considerations
- Knowing how your puppy was wounded may help him avoid injury again.
- Prevent your puppy from licking the wound. Doing so could introduce bacteria into the wound causing infection.
- A wound that your pup is scratching at or chewing on might be itching. This could be healing, or it could mean dryness. Keeping it moist may help this discomfort.
- You may need to consider a cone or Elizabethan collar to keep your little guy from licking or chewing on the wound.
- Keeping the wound clean will help with the healing process.
- You can keep a wound clean with saline solution rinses every day as the new healthy skin forms.
- Natural salves such as coconut oil can assist with healing and keep the skin soft and supple, providing more comfort for your pup.
- If your puppy’s wound is the result of a surgery from your veterinarian, be sure to follow all doctor’s orders including medicines and creams for healing.
- If the wound is a result of an injury, be sure to rinse it thoroughly to remove any dirt and debris.
- An antibiotic ointment can assist in the healing process.
- After any ointment is applied, consider wrapping or covering the wound to keep your pup from licking the ointment off.
Conclusion
When your puppy is wounded, the best thing you can offer is lots of love and a careful watch over the wound. You'll want the wound to heal quickly and properly without causing infection. Getting the wound clean is important to keeping your little guy healthy after his injury.
