What antibiotic to give a dog for a laceration. How to provide first aid and treat cuts in dogs? How to treat a lacerated, weeping wound

A wound in a dog is a common occurrence, because they are by nature very active animals. They are always interested in everything, they often get into dog fights. Even if your dog is well-mannered and calm, during a walk he can become a victim of homeless dogs, who, unfortunately, still run in packs along our streets.

Lovers of these animals should always be prepared for such a possibility. If something happens, do not panic, but be able to provide first aid, know how to proceed further, and be patient. After all, therapy for dog wounds always requires considerable patience from both the pet and its owner.

What is a wound on a dog?

In order to provide emergency assistance and to develop subsequent actions for treating a pet, each owner must be able to assess the nature of the wound, its size, the depth of the lesion, the presence of bleeding and its intensity. The main types of injuries are:

Abrasions (scratches), splinters - damaging the top layer of skin, provoking a slight inflammatory process on it and barely noticeable bleeding, the formation of bruises. This can happen for any reason: from the owner’s inept handling of the leash to the dog touching various objects and plants, active scratching, etc. Such injuries are simple and do not require going to a veterinary clinic, but can be treated at home;

Lacerations, which also include cuts, are the result of deeper damage to the animal’s skin. The reasons for this can be different, but the cut itself can be smooth, clean and shallow or deep, when the edges do not have a clear outline (torn) and all layers of the skin are affected, right down to the muscle tissue;

Puncture wounds and bites are dangerous due to the possibility of rapid bacterial infection. These wounds, especially small ones, are difficult to immediately calculate, and if therapeutic and disinfecting measures are not taken in a timely manner, they quickly become inflamed and cause suppuration. Such purulent wounds in dogs require immediate treatment;

Injuries are the most complex and life-threatening injuries. Occurs as a result of beatings, accidents, accidents.

When to see a veterinarian

Home treatment for all types of wounds is indicated only when the animal has received superficial damage that does not pose a threat to its life. In other cases, it is necessary to show your pet to a veterinarian. This should not be neglected if:

this is a bite - the animal that caused such an injury may be sick, in particular with rabies, which is dangerous not only for the life of the pet itself, but also for members of the entire family;
The dog’s wounds do not heal - only a specialist can determine the reason for this;
the animal is severely injured - any delay in this case may cost its life;
severe bleeding, especially that cannot be restored;
extensive head wound, fracture, or other cases requiring special treatment methods or the use of potent drugs.

First aid

When a dog is injured, certain measures are required on the part of its owner:

First, treat the wound with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, furatsilin or chlorhexidine. If you do not have these products in your home medicine cabinet, you can use clean running water.
Shave or trim the hair around the wound.
Lubricate the area around the wound well with iodine or Monclavit-1 (a modern disinfectant preparation based on iodine).
Try to stop the bleeding using a homeostatic bandage and tight bandaging.

After these actions, preferably without the slightest delay, even with a seemingly trivial wound, you need to show the animal to a veterinarian. After all, poor-quality treatment or incorrect actions by the owner of a four-legged pet can lead to various complications. And with bleeding, any delay could even cost his life.

How to treat wounds in animals

The main health hazard is lacerations in dogs. Typically, such a lesion does not heal quickly and often has undesirable consequences. Treatment of such a pathology, as a rule, requires surgical measures, because without this, pus and tissue particles that are semi-decomposed quickly accumulate in the wound, and a purulent wound in dogs is formed.

It is generally accepted that with this type of injury one should not worry only when it is minor (no more than 2 cm long, 1 cm deep). More serious cases always require immediate medical attention. It is especially needed when the pet’s wound begins to fester. At home, the animal should treat the affected area with hydrogen peroxide, pre-cut the hair, remove pus and dirt. And then the action is up to the specialists.

A drainage system will be installed in the animal clinic to help remove purulent discharge, which is not removed until the wound is completely cleaned and the inflammatory process is stopped. An antibiotic is always used in the form of injections for dogs for purulent wounds. This can be Biomycin, Terramycin, Gramicidin, etc. At the same time, wipes soaked in a solution that promotes the removal of exudate are applied to the wounded area.
If the wound is serious enough, it is stitched up, but treatment is also prescribed. As a rule, antibiotics with a wide spectrum of effects are used, and in high doses.

It happens that hormonal drugs are also prescribed, although when treating complex lesions, when the treatment period lasts 2-3 weeks, such a prescription is not recommended. But vitamin complexes will come in handy here. After all, with their help you can improve metabolism, accelerate the production of leukocytes, and strengthen the animal’s body’s defenses. Often, tampons with Vishnevsky balm are applied to such wounds.

Preparations for the treatment of wounds

In any home first aid kit you should always have Chlorhexidine, Levomekol, Ranosan ointment and other ointments that promote wound healing, bandages, and napkins. If you take your pet with you on a long trip or hunting, the necessary medications should be with you. In such unforeseen cases, you can always provide the necessary assistance.

Other medications and treatments will be prescribed by the attending veterinarian, based on the specific case. Among the antiseptics, these can be: Ranosan, Septogel, Xidikol-spray, Aluminum-spray, Septonex. All of them have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. It is good to use streptocide powder for wound healing.

Complications and risks

This is always discussed during heavy defeats, when, as they say, the minutes are counting. And the pet’s life is determined by how extensive the lesion is and how soon the owner can deliver it to the clinic. This is especially important when a lot of blood has been lost, which usually happens with large wounds. Blood transfusions are almost never done in dog clinics due to the lack of supplies.

But this, however, is not so scary. Operations, if carried out on time, are mostly successful, the animal recovers in 2-3 weeks (with the rehabilitation period, the recovery period extends). It happens that you have to tinker with your pet for six months.

Immediately after stitching, the dog can be taken home (the clinic can leave him for 2-3 days only in particularly severe cases). The owner will need to inspect the seam daily so as not to lose sight of the appearance of the first signs of redness, suppuration, and swelling. It is also important to show your pet to the treating veterinarian at least once every 7 days.

Summing up

Complications and risks when a dog is injured can always be eliminated if everything is done correctly, seek veterinary help in a timely manner and carefully follow treatment recommendations. Your dog's injury can happen suddenly. Therefore, you should always be prepared for such a case. The main thing is not to get confused, but to quickly assess the nature of the injury and provide first aid. In case of serious injury, veterinary intervention is inevitable. Always remember that the life and health of your pet is completely in your hands!

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Dogs are not so “domestic” creatures when compared to cats. As a rule, only dogs of dwarf, “pocket” size can be kept in the apartment at all times, while other pets have to be walked. In rural areas, the dog tirelessly and constantly accompanies its owners on long forays into nature.

Because of this, any experienced amateur has considerable experience in treating various abrasions, cuts, and other injuries that an active pet inevitably receives. But it is much worse if the latter has a lacerated wound: in a dog (in general, like in a person), such injuries take a long time to heal and often lead to serious consequences, including gangrene and sepsis.

As you might guess, Such wounds appear when body tissue is torn under the influence of strong mechanical forces. In service dogs, for example, these injuries are often a consequence of the dog being “impaled” on barbed wire or nails (carelessly handled projectiles in “dog towns”) during training. Unlike a cut with smooth edges, the gap is characterized “jagged”, uneven wound channels, heavily dusted with wool, sawdust, and other debris. Of course, in such cases, a huge amount of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora appears in the wound. The duration and severity of the rehabilitation period largely depends on the depth and extent of the source of damage.

As a rule, similar wounds are always an indication for surgery, since without surgery, purulent exudate and half-decomposed pieces of tissue very quickly begin to accumulate in the wound canal. Only minor lacerations of the skin that do not affect the muscle layer can be subjected to simple treatment without subsequent drainage and suturing. It is believed that “little blood” can be dispensed with only for wounds whose length does not exceed 2 cm and depth - 1 cm. In other cases, it is strongly recommended to immediately contact a veterinarian.

Diagnostic procedures

Preoperative tests depend in part on the age and general health of the animal, as well as the cause of the injury. In the case when it was caused by the action of something sharp (nail, wire, piece of metal), you can only get by. If the rupture is associated with extensive trauma, you may need: X-rays, blood tests, serological and biochemical tests, and urine testing. An ECG may be required.

Read also: What to feed a puppy with diarrhea and not harm it

The latter is true in cases where the animal (against the background of post-traumatic shock) exhibits signs heart failure. It should be noted that in cases where the injured pet has problems with the liver, kidneys, lungs or heart, it is strictly prohibited to perform surgery (especially under general anesthesia) until its condition is completely stabilized!

By the way, in what cases is anesthesia necessary, and in what cases only local anesthesia? If the case is mild (a small laceration on the paw), then strong anesthesia may not be required to stitch it up. The pet is simply fixed in the pen, and the damaged area is subjected to infiltration anesthesia. But this, of course, does not apply to cases of particularly large and/or aggressive dogs. Sometimes only a local anesthetic is used.

For severe injuries and if the animal is restless and in a state of shock, it is recommended to use general anesthesia. As a rule, the latter is given by administering appropriate drugs intravenously.

Surgical technique

First, the hair surrounding the wound canal is carefully trimmed. This must be done very carefully to prevent tissue “cluttering” and additional contamination with microflora. The area is cleaned with surgical soap and disinfectants to remove bacterial plaque and normal debris. Areas of dead and torn skin must be cut off. To ensure unhindered closure of the wound with a suture, the edges of the canal are carefully trimmed, and “extra” areas are cut off. If everything was done correctly, healing subsequently occurs by primary intention, and the volume of purulent and/or ichorous exudate released is reduced to a minimum.

The wound is closed either with sutures or with surgical staplers. It is worth noting that the materials for suturing may subsequently dissolve on their own, or the sutures have to be removed after the injury has completely healed.

The first option is much preferable, since in this case the owner does not have to additionally take his pet to the veterinarian. In addition, not all breeders have the skill and experience to remove sutures on their own (however, experts do not prohibit doing this). In any case, the staples should be removed only in a clinic, since this is not easy to do, and an ordinary breeder simply cannot cope with it.

Read also: Can a dog catch a cold from a person?

How long does the operation to stitch a laceration take? The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the individual case. Small wounds, as is easy to understand, are closed in a few minutes. Here you need to understand that large injuries with a gaping wound channel It may be impossible to completely “repair” it in one operation. In severe cases, up to ten (!) surgical interventions may be required!

Other therapeutic techniques

It would be somewhat naive to think that just stitching a serious wound is enough. Treatment is usually much more serious. Since in all these cases the wound channel is inevitably subject to bacterial contamination, the animal is prescribed antibiotics broad spectrum of action in loading doses.

Sometimes (at the veterinarian's discretion) anti-inflammatory corticosteroids may be prescribed. But when treating very severe wounds, when the rehabilitation period can last for several weeks, this is contraindicated: with prolonged use, these drugs provoke the development of fungal infections, so it’s not worth the risk. In addition, to improve and speed up the regeneration process, it is useful to prescribe multivitamin complexes. They improve metabolism, accelerate the production of leukocytes, strengthening the dog’s body’s defenses. In addition, bandages and tampons soaked in Vishnevsky’s balsamic liniment can be applied to the wounds themselves (and even more so torn ones).

Important! If you don’t know how to treat a wound received by your pet, you can use streptocide powder for this purpose. It perfectly disinfects the wound surface and prevents the development of purulent inflammation in the future.

In addition, if the wound occurs after a fight with another dog or other animal, rabies vaccines (i.e., anti-rabies medications) may be necessary. This is especially true for hunting dogs who may encounter rabid foxes. But! This only applies to those dogs that were not vaccinated against rabies on time. Unfortunately, this also happens. In this case, all costs associated with obtaining vaccines and serums fall on the shoulders of the animal owner.

Possible risks and complications

In a young and physically strong dog, the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia are minimal. But everything is not so simple. A lacerated ear wound that can be repaired with a couple of surgical stitches is one thing. But if you have to stitch together a paw that is torn into trash, with pieces of ligaments and muscles protruding from the wound canal, the situation is completely different. In this case, everything depends on the luck of the dog and the time during which the owners managed to deliver it to the veterinarian. In addition, if there is significant blood loss (and with such wounds it will always be so), it may be necessary blood or plasma transfusion, but this can only be done in a few veterinary clinics. There is simply no pet blood bank in our country. As a rule, up to 70% of such operations are quite successful; the animal recovers completely in two to three weeks (not counting the rehabilitation period).

If possible, do not self-medicate and consult a doctor. But if this is not possible, then it is necessary to understand the basic principles of treatment.

Treating dog wounds at home

Initially, it is necessary to trim the hair around the wound. Various discharges and pus will come out of the wound, the fur will stick together, and if it is not trimmed, additional problems will appear. Dermatitis and some other complications may appear. It will also make it easier for you to care for the wound. For cutting, use ordinary scissors; they can be boiled or treated with alcohol. After this, you need to take 3% hydrogen peroxide, fill it with a syringe and inject it into the wound without a needle. It will be unpleasant for the dog, but this procedure is very important to do.

After washing the contents from the dog’s wound, a large amount of foam may appear - this is the result of a reaction between peroxide and dying tissue. You must be prepared for this. Then you need to take a bandage, a gauze pad and remove excess liquid by pressing it to the wound. After this, you need to take levomekol and inject it using a syringe, without a needle. It is sold in any regular pharmacy. Such treatments should be done at least twice a day. If a lot of fluid comes from the dog’s wound, you can treat the wound in this way in the first days three times a day. But this rarely happens, usually two times is enough.

How not to treat a dog's wounds.

There is no need to fill the wound with vodka, iodine, alcohol, brilliant green, i.e. all the folk remedies that people like to use. You won't kill all microorganisms, but you can cause harm. You will burn the tissue and it will take a very long time to heal. There is no need to stitch up a fresh wound, especially a purulent one. To stitch up a purulent wound, you must first treat it surgically - remove dead tissue and then leave it so that all the discharge from the wound comes out. But if you don’t have experience, it’s better not to sew it up so as not to harm the dog.

Then pay attention to the dog's condition. If depression, fever, or a putrid smell from the wound appears, then you need to at least find a doctor who can use antibiotics.

At best, you need to take the dog and take it to the doctor, because all this affects the body as a whole.

All dogs, regardless of breed, are usually very active animals. In addition to banal scratches and cuts, there are risks of serious wounds during training and fights among themselves. What should the owner do? Minor injuries and abrasions can be treated independently - you just need to know what and how. But serious lacerations should be entrusted to a veterinary specialist, because... in most cases, such injuries require stitches and special care afterward.

Classification of possible wounds and actions of the owner when they are detected

The most common occurrences in dogs are:

abrasions, scratches, scratches (most often on the back and legs);
incised wounds (have smooth edges);
bite wounds (bite marks are clearly visible - rounded areas of damage in accordance with the bite of the teeth with signs of slight tearing);
lacerations (have uneven, fringed edges).

Any open wound is accompanied by bleeding:

capillary - blood leaks over the entire surface of the abrasion (scratch) in small droplets;
venous – the blood is dark and flows out in a uniform stream;
arterial - a bright scarlet pulsating or fountain-like stream of blood.

Capillary bleeding can be easily stopped at home without much effort.

In case of venous and arterial bleeding, the dog should be urgently and as quickly as possible taken to the veterinarian, having previously applied a pressure bandage. You won’t be able to stop them on your own, because... the situation will require vascular sutures.

First aid for your pet:

Assess the nature of the wound, how big it is, is there any bleeding and what kind? You can start treating the damaged surface if it is minor and only with capillary bleeding. Wounds up to 2-3 cm in length and no more than 1 cm in depth are considered not dangerous and easy to heal when provided with proper assistance. In all other cases, self-medication can lead to complications.
Trim the hair around the damage (or shave with a clipper, if possible). If this is not possible, try to carefully part the fur to gain access to the wound surface and get a good look at everything.
Rinse the damaged area with any antiseptic (chlorhexidine, furatsilin, rivanol or hydrogen peroxide 3%) or with regular running water if there are no antiseptic solutions at hand. With each subsequent rinsing, it is important to remove purulent crusts, dirt, and any foreign bodies clinging to the ointment or fluid released (exudate) during the healing process.
Capillary bleeding is well stopped by hydrogen peroxide and/or powdery wound healing powders.
After washing, you can treat the wound with: iodine, brilliant green, “sealing” spray, powdery wound-healing powder or ointment/cream (one product to choose from).
If severe bleeding is detected, apply a tight, pressure bandage with a bandage or any other available means and take the pet to a specialist. Untimely qualified assistance can cost the pet’s life due to heavy blood loss.
If an old purulent wound or abscess (a hot seal at the site of a bite or other type of injury) is discovered, this is a direct route to the veterinarian.
Lacerated (deep) wounds, even in the absence of severe bleeding, must be sutured, so the dog must be taken to the clinic.
The basic rule for treating any wounds is: wet - dry, dry - soak. Those. Drying wounds are best treated with ointments and liquid forms of medicines; wet wounds are better treated with sprays or powders.

Advice: even if at first glance the wound seems insignificant, after initial treatment you should show the dog to the veterinarian. It is better to get the approval of a specialist that everything was done correctly than to receive complications from incorrectly provided care in the form of suppuration, abscesses, longer healing and sepsis.

What does a veterinarian do?

Depending on the complexity of the wound process, the veterinarian carries out treatment according to all the rules of asepsis and antisepsis, and also, if necessary, applies stitches. They can be applied not only to the skin, but also to deep muscle layers, as well as to bleeding vessels.
Anesthesia is usually required for suturing. Depending on the animal's temperament, general health and the complexity of the potential operation, this can be either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The stitches are placed with a variety of suture material, depending on the wound in each case, so some stitches will need to be removed after 10-14 days, and some will dissolve on their own.
The wound is never sutured tightly. A hole is always left through which the inflammatory exudate will drain, which should not stagnate.
In case of purulent wounds and the risk of sepsis, a course of antibiotic therapy is required.
The dressing is applied at the discretion of the veterinarian, taking into account the nature of the wound, its complexity and where it is located.
If there was extensive blood loss during the injury, then replacement droppers are placed during the operation or immediately after to replenish the plasma deficiency of blood in the body.
With the right approach, wound healing occurs in 7-14 days. If complications arise, the process may take some time. Often, a skin transplant may be necessary for healing (when the surface is huge and the body’s regenerative (restorative) forces are simply not enough), then treatments alone cannot be done.

List of drugs for treating wounds in dogs

The list of antiseptic and healing agents that can be used to treat a dog is huge. Here is a list of the most commonly used drugs:

Primary treatment of wounds, washing, washing abscesses

Any of the products is directly poured onto the surface, sprayed into a spray or injected into the abscess cavity to wash out the inflammatory-purulent exudate. The products are quite cheap and can be used in large quantities.

Hydrogen peroxide 3%

(7-10 RUR/100 ml)

Chlorhexidine

(about 20 rub./100 ml)

Furacilin

(about 100 rub./10 tablets)

Absolutely all powders/powders have excellent antiseptic, wound healing and absorption effects It is good to use them in deep, wet wounds where there is a cavity pocket. Wounds often fall asleep and are stitched up. The wound cavity is filled generously and tightly with any of these agents and the outflow of the resulting exudate is controlled. The procedure is carried out 1-2 times a day until completely dry or according to the instructions for each drug. Then they usually switch to ointments.

Powder "Iodoform" (75-105 rub./10 g)	Powder powder Edis (150 rub./200 g)	Powder Gentaxan (170-210 rub./2 g)

Baneocin powder (up to 400 rub./10 g)	Xeroform (about 100 rub./10 g)
Wound healing, antimicrobial and analgesic ointments/creams are used on dried wounds or shallow weeping wounds. They perfectly stimulate granulation (the formation of connective tissue - the tissue that forms scars). Some contain an anesthetic component (Ophlomelit, Levosin, Fastin, Ranosan). May cause drooling due to licking by animals, because bitter. All preparations are applied in a thin layer, lightly rubbing in. It is better to blot the excess with a napkin, because... melt from body temperature, spreading greatly beyond the wound.

Levomekol (about 120 rub./40 g)	Oflomelid (130-155 rub./50 g)	(80-100 rub./40 g)

(50-85 rub./25 g)	(about 70 rub./10 g)

Rivanol

0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% solutions are used for washing wounds, as well as in the form of powder or ointment. Do not use on extensive injuries if the dog has problems with the kidneys.

Iodine solution

(17-25 RUR/25 ml)

It is good to treat areas with iodine after removing ticks and abrasions/scratches. Open wounds are best treated only at the edges. Do not lubricate too large wound areas with iodine, because... A dog (especially a small one) may experience iodine poisoning. May cause burning and local irritation, which does not require discontinuation for use.

Brilliant green solution (brilliant green)

(40-74 RUR/15 ml)

The most universal remedy for treating wounds, abrasions, postoperative sutures, etc. Has a pronounced antiseptic and drying effect.

Aluminumspray

(about 300 rub./100 ml)

Suitable for treating any wounds in animals. It is especially good to use on postoperative sutures. It has not only an antiseptic effect, but also an enveloping effect. Spray at a distance of 15-20 cm above the wound for 1-2 seconds. Usually once a day for 7-10 days is enough. It has no contraindications or side effects.

Chemi spray

(380-500 RUR/200 ml)

A product with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Has a detrimental effect on fungi of the genus Candida. Non-irritating, but with a very strong odor - best used outdoors. It is important to clean the wound before spraying: remove pus, crusts, dirt, necrotic areas, etc. Apply up to 3 times a day, the duration of use usually does not exceed 10 days.

Vetericin

(RUB 1100-1300/118 ml)

A very powerful all-purpose antimicrobial-healing agent for any kind of wound in dogs that can be found. Apply 3-4 times a day - or simply spray on the surface or under the bandage (apply a moistened damp cloth, a bag and a bandage on top). There are no restrictions on days of use - until healing.

Question and answer

Question:
Are antibiotics prescribed for dogs for wounds?

Yes, very often, for deep and/or old (purulent) wounds, a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Antibiotics are almost always needed after suturing.

Question:
How to treat a wound after a tick?

The place from which the tick was removed should be treated generously (but not extensively, namely at the site of the bite) with iodine tincture. Even if parts of the insect’s body remain there, they will be “expelled” from the wound, like splinters, naturally.

Question:
What if a dog licks its wounds?

You should not let your dog lick the affected area, because... With her tongue, she can damage the tissue around it and increase the area of the wound surface. For large, deep and post-operative wounds, it is better to apply bandages.

Question:
The dog has an ear wound

If the injury in the middle of the auricle is not deep, then the treatment is carried out as a normal abrasion. In case of ruptures of the auricle (perforations or torn edges), only a specialist can help by applying sutures. If desired, cosmetic stitches can be applied so that scars at the site of the wound are not visible in the future (this may be necessary for show dogs).

Question:
What if a dog's wound does not heal for a long time?

Perhaps an error was made at the time of processing and/or something was not done in good faith. Long-term non-healing wounds dissolve healthy surrounding skin tissue, thereby increasing the area of the injured surface. The four-legged pet needs to be shown to a doctor so that he can inspect the wound and re-treat it from the very beginning (cleaning, rinsing, using wound-healing solutions, ointments, powders, etc.).

Question:
What to do if a dog has a wound on its paw?

It all depends on where on the paw the damage is found. Damage on the folds, as well as in those places where there is constant external influence (for example, an animal constantly steps on this place) is difficult to treat. The most important condition for rapid healing is rest. If it is impossible to provide rest to the wound, you need to be prepared that it will take a little longer to heal than usual. Also, bandages are almost always applied to such wounds, and ointments/creams are applied under them.

Question:
Purulent wound in a dog

The presence of pus indicates that bacteria have joined the inflammatory process. Reasons: improper treatment, ignoring the principle “it will go away on its own” or the formation of an abscess. With purulent wounds, you should always take your pet to the veterinarian, because... Simple washings and treatments will not be enough - you need qualified cleaning of the wound cavity/surface, antibiotic therapy and proper aftercare.

Question:
How to treat a dog's wound?

If the injury is not deep and is not accompanied by active bleeding (venous or arterial), then there is only one approach: washing with water or antiseptic liquids and treating with a wound-healing component (powder, spray, ointment/cream). The main thing is to follow the basic principle of wound healing: wet - dry, dry - wet. This means that wet areas are best treated with brilliant green or powders, and areas that dry out are best treated with ointments.

Wounds can appear on a dog’s body for a variety of reasons, for example, as a result of contact with dry grass, branches of bushes and trees, and plant thorns. A piece of glass or other sharp objects can also damage the skin. Many animals are crushed under the wheels of vehicles, resulting in more serious consequences than scratches and small open wounds. To decide how to treat a dog’s wound, you need to examine it and assess the severity of the wounds received.

If for one reason or another the animal is seriously injured (it is not possible to stop the bleeding on its own, large lacerations that must be sutured), then you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian in order to avoid dangerous consequences.

Depending on the characteristics of the object causing the wound, wounds are classified into nine types.

Table 1. Types of wounds in dogs

Type of wound	Description
Scratches with abrasions	They arise as a result of a dog touching an object or plant while trying to vigorously scratch a certain area of the body. Some animals injure themselves by biting fleas or trying to get rid of mats and pieces of matted fur.
Cuts	Appear on the pet's body upon contact with various objects with sharp edges. It happens, for example, that the tissues of the mouth are injured by the broken ends of chewed bones
Severe bites from other animals	Wounds of this nature are most often subject to inflammatory processes. This is due to the fact that from the very beginning the surface of the damaged area of the body is contaminated with substances released from the aggressor’s mouth
Splinters	These foreign particles usually get into the paw when the dog is running outside. However, sometimes they have to be removed even from the tissues of the cheeks or tongue, because these pets love to chew wooden pieces of furniture
Injuries resulting from an accident	According to experts, it is in these cases that animals receive the most complex injuries, which may even be incompatible with life.
Puncture wounds	Damage occurs due to contact with a sharp object that can quite easily pass through living tissue. Depending on the nature of the damaging product, wound channels can be smooth or rough
Chopped wounds	They are a type of injury characterized by serious destruction of fairly deep tissues, as well as damage to the walls of lymphatic and blood vessels, and lacerated nerves. In many animals, joints and other bone elements are crushed
Bruised wounds	They occur after the dog’s body is exposed to blunt objects. In this case, as a rule, multiplication and crushing of not only the epidermis, but also deeper muscles occurs. In addition, minor blood loss occurs
Lacerations	Applied with a pointed object. For pets, they are dangerous due to rupture of tendons and ligaments, as well as various infections entering the body.

It happens that dogs receive combined wounds. Moreover, each injury is accompanied by the risk of infection. After all, dirt and dust, fluff and hair, rust and foreign bodies penetrate inside damaged skin along with foreign objects. Therefore, even a small wound must be treated with an antiseptic.

It should be noted that you should treat yourself at home only those wounds that are superficial and do not pose the slightest danger to the life of your pet.

How do you treat superficial wounds in dogs?

If the animal has received a shallow injury that has not affected the tissue, then the owner can treat the wound on his own without seeking help from a specialist. This treatment procedure is carried out according to the following instructions:

Antiseptics for treating wounds

When a person discovers a wound on his pet, he may become confused and not immediately decide which antiseptic agent is best to use. Experienced veterinarians advise pet owners to have a first aid kit that always contains a sufficient amount of hydrogen peroxide. This solution has a hemostatic effect and does not cause burns to the injured area of the body.

Chlorhexidine is also often used to treat shallow wounds. It is not only convenient to apply, but also completely cleanses the area of various contaminants and prevents pathogenic microorganisms from entering the wound.

For the purpose of antibacterial protection, Miramistin is also recommended - a solution that gently interacts with living tissues and does not cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes. Thanks to it, you can prevent infection of the animal’s body with dangerous bacteria and viruses. Veterinarians use the medication to prevent purulent inflammation and activate regenerative processes.

One of the widely used drugs is Furacilin. Its advantage over many other antiseptics is the absence of a specific odor and such side effects as skin irritation. A solution prepared from tablets can also be used to wipe wounds where the purulent process has begun.

To treat superficial damage, despite the opinion of many people, it is not recommended to use brilliant green and iodine. Experts explain this by the fact that these solutions contain alcohol, which, if it comes into contact with living tissue, leads to burns. In addition, the substances greatly dry the skin and cause irritation.

Wound healing process in dogs

Shallow wounds of dogs begin to heal after purulent exudate forms on their surface and tissue granulation occurs around the wound canal. In addition, when hair, dirt and foreign particles enter the deep layers of tissue, a process begins to occur in the pet’s body that promotes the formation of pus. Therefore, exudate is necessary to ensure a proteolytic effect aimed at removing purulent substances from the wound canal.

If the wound is simple and has not become infected, it usually takes one to two weeks to heal. Healing of surgical wounds also occurs by so-called primary intention.

If an animal receives lacerations or injuries accompanied by crushing of living tissue, the healing process occurs very slowly, especially when infected. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the healing of the wound channel occurs by secondary intention. To avoid serious complications, you need to seek help from a veterinarian. He must perform an operation to excise the edges of the wound, due to which healing begins to proceed by primary intention, which occurs much faster.

In the absence of proper treatment or its delay, the wound becomes inflamed and begins to fester. Getting rid of this problem is much more difficult, in addition, blood poisoning can occur as a result.

Video - Treatment of wounds in dogs: veterinarian's guidelines

Features of the treatment of lacerated and weeping wounds in dogs

After damage is caused, regardless of its severity, various pathogenic microorganisms immediately accumulate on the surface of the skin around the wound. If the injury is torn and affects the deep layers of tissue, then after a couple of days the dog experiences a progressive inflammatory process.

An equally common reason that leads to inflammation is failure to follow the rules of asepsis or the use of inappropriate antiseptics when the integrity of the skin and soft tissues is damaged. In this case, exudate containing blood plasma and lymph, as well as leukocytes, lymphocytes and other products of the inflammatory process is released from the wound channel. This substance provides a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms. As a result, the formation of a weeping injury is observed. The wound emits a specific odor. Many owners note apathy and depression in their pet.

Carrying out therapy in such a situation involves carefully removing all exudate and crusts formed on the surface of the damaged area. After this, it is necessary to treat the area with a disinfectant. If your dog experiences severe itching of the skin and pain, you should consult a veterinarian who will recommend the most appropriate analgesics and antihistamines. Usually, Tavegin or Suprastin is prescribed, the active ingredients of which slow down the synthesis of histamine-like substances, thereby reducing the amount of exudate accumulating inside the wound.

To eliminate pathogenic microflora, it is necessary to cover the affected area with ointments that have an antibacterial effect. Effective are “Vishnevskaya ointment”, “Tetracycline ointment”, and “Levomikol”. In severe cases, the animal is additionally given broad-spectrum antibiotics.

In addition to ointments and antibiotics, special sprays that can be found in veterinary pharmacies promote wound healing. Below are some brands of such drugs.

Often purulent processes begin to develop in the wound canal, which are accompanied by the formation of exudate and the manifestation of characteristic symptoms:

A sharp increase in body temperature;
Apathy;
Weakness;
Lack of appetite.

To eliminate undesirable consequences, the veterinarian must select suitable antibacterial medications that will help quickly cope with inflammation and suppuration of the injury. Effective and widely used drugs are:

Cephalosporins - Cephalen, Cephalex, and Cefotaxime;
Penicillins - “Sinulox”, “Ampicillin” and “Amoxicillin”;
Tetracyclines – “Doxycycline”.

As a rule, the course of therapy lasts no longer than two weeks. It should be noted that it is forbidden to apply sutures to wounds complicated by infectious microflora

What to do with open and deep wounds?

If your pet has received a deep wound, then, first of all, the surface must be washed and disinfected. Then antiseptic solutions are applied to the skin: Miramistin, Formalin or Chlorhexidine. However, you should not engage in further treatment on your own; it is better to consult a specialist to avoid any dangerous complications.

Features of a dog's diet after injury

After receiving an injury, which leads to destruction of the integrity of the skin, soft tissues, bones, nerves, tendons, blood and lymphatic vessels, processes begin to occur in the animal’s body aimed at stopping inflammation and regenerating the damage. Therefore, the dog quickly loses strength.

To restore them and support the immune system, it is very important to provide your pet with adequate nutrition, along with which his body will receive all the necessary vitamins and beneficial microelements. In addition, it is necessary that he has constant access to clean water, because the injury is accompanied by blood loss, which requires restoration of the water balance.