Whether they\u2019ve skidded to a stop a little too suddenly, just returned from racing through the undergrowth or simply been unlucky, it\u2019s not uncommon for dogs to pick up cuts and scrapes when they\u2019re out and about.<\/p>
It\u2019s recommended to get anything more than a very minor graze checked by your vet to ensure there\u2019s nothing more serious going on \u2013 but what should you be doing to help your dog heal before and after their trip to the vets? Is there anything you can do to treat minor cuts and grazes at home? What about an antiseptic cream for dogs? Read on for our summary of wound care in dogs.<\/p>
While home care can play a valuable role, alone it should only be used for very superficial small cuts and grazes. Any wound that\u2019s deeper, dirty, bleeding significantly or causing pain and distress should be assessed urgently by a vet. Puncture wounds or deeper cuts can often be more severe than they appear externally, so it\u2019s worth getting them checked.<\/p>
Either way, there is some basic wound care you can provide even for more severe wounds before you make it to the vets.<\/p>
If the wound is either very minor, or it\u2019s been checked by a vet and they\u2019ve advised it doesn\u2019t need any specific treatment, you can then turn your attention to helping your dog\u2019s natural healing. This can include keeping the wound clean and, if your vet agrees, applying a suitable wound healing cream for dogs.<\/p>
But before we dive into how we can support healing, what exactly does that healing entail?<\/p>
Dogs\u2019 skin heals in 3 main phases:<\/strong><\/p> This finely tuned, specialised process is what your dog\u2019s skin has evolved to do \u2013 so the focus of wound care is to support it as it gets to work. Some things can get in the way of this healing process, like infection, poor nutrition, certain medications and pre-existing health issues. Home care can definitely help wounds to heal, but if things aren\u2019t going to plan it\u2019s important to see your vet.<\/p> What to look out for while your dog\u2019s wound is healing<\/strong><\/p> If you notice the following, it\u2019s worth contacting your vet:<\/p> <\/p> So, what can you do to help?<\/strong><\/p> Despite dogs\u2019 determination to lick anywhere that\u2019s sore, this can have a disastrous effect on healing, introducing infection and damaging the delicate tissues that are trying to repair the damage. Depending on the location of your dog\u2019s wound, you may need to use a buster collar or pet shirt to prevent them licking.<\/p> Small cuts and wounds are most vulnerable to infection in the first 48 hours, so it\u2019s especially important to avoid getting them mucky in this time. If your dog has a cut paw, you may even want to pop a sock on when taking them out to toilet. If the wound is oozing or becomes dirty, you can bathe it with dilute salt water.<\/p> As it moves into the proliferative phase, continue to keep it clean. Regular bathing isn\u2019t usually necessary throughout the healing process, and using harsh cleansers or bathing it roughly could disrupt your dog\u2019s delicate cells as they attempt to proliferate and heal the wound; however, when needed the wound can be bathed gently with dilute salt water before thoroughly patting it dry.<\/p> For more significant wounds, your vet may recommend bandaging to keep them clean and protected. This should only be done by your veterinary team as it\u2019s easy for bandages to be applied incorrectly and cause more harm than good. Many minor wounds are best left unbandaged as the warm, moist environment created could in some cases contribute to infection. If your dog is bandaged, it\u2019s vital to keep this clean and dry; paw bandages especially should be covered fully if it\u2019s damp or wet outside.<\/p> The final step you can take is to apply a wound cream or antiseptic cream for dogs. Using an antiseptic cream for dogs can help to keep the area moist while also reducing the likelihood of infection.<\/p> Generally speaking, moist areas can favour bacteria, but this moistness is also ideal for your dog\u2019s healing cells. By using a wound healing cream for dogs with antiseptic properties, you can support your dog\u2019s healing by preventing the wound drying out while also reducing the potential for infection.<\/p> Wound healing creams can be used under bandages (if your vet is happy to apply them while bandaging your dog) or alone for small cuts and wounds. If your dog\u2019s wound is anything more than a minor cut or mild graze, it\u2019s worth making a treatment plan with your vet and discussing the use of an antiseptic cream for dogs with them.<\/p> <box out> Always be careful when handling any part of your dog that\u2019s painful. If they seem stressed it\u2019s best to be careful and stop what you\u2019re doing. Even the loveliest of dogs may nip if they\u2019re in pain! If your dog seems in pain at home, it\u2019s worth discussing with your vet. <\/box><\/p> Remember, no antiseptic cream for dogs is designed for oral use and if it\u2019s consumed in large quantities, it could be harmful \u2013 so if they might lick it, it\u2019s best to use just a small amount. <\/strong><\/p> Choosing the best type of antiseptic cream for your dog can be challenging, but there are a few things to look out for.<\/p> First, using a pet-safe product is best. Human products may be similar, but it can be difficult to rule out toxic ingredients and they may not suit dogs\u2019 skin as well as a product tailored to pets.<\/p> Secondly, make sure the wound healing cream you choose is also antiseptic to reduce the chance of infection. Zinc oxide based products are best, as this ingredient is an effective antiseptic but also supports skin re-growth and encourages tissue repair, especially during the proliferative phase.<\/p> Finally, look for added benefits \u2013 if you want your dog\u2019s skin to heal as quickly and as well as it can, it\u2019s worth supporting it with natural, evidence-based ingredients like echinacea, arnica and calendula.<\/p> Omnimatrix, our pet wound cream for dogs, cats and horses, is tailored to pets\u2019 skin and contains an evidence-based combination of zinc oxide and nine natural herbal extracts that help to soothe skin, reduce inflammation and work with your dog\u2019s tissues to promote healing, including Echinacea purpurea, Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis and Hamamelis virginiana. It can be used in all stages of healing, and is also useful as a barrier cream for sensitive areas. With a 3-year shelf-life once opened this is the perfect pet wound cream to add to your first aid kit.<\/p>1. Prevent licking<\/strong><\/h2>
2. Keep it clean<\/strong><\/h2>
3. Apply a wound healing cream for dogs<\/strong><\/h2>
How should you use an antiseptic cream for dogs?<\/strong><\/h3>
Picking the right wound healing cream for dogs<\/strong><\/h3>