If your dog has suffered an injury that's bleeding, you'll need to act fast. The first thing you should do is calm your dog down. If you try to take care of the wounds while your dog is still in an agitated state, it might try to bite you. Gently talk to your dog and try to calm it through the sound of your voice. If your dog is still agitated, you'll need to gently wrap a tie around its nose. This will prevent your dog from biting while you tend to its wounds. Here are three steps to take to cleanse and treat the wounds.
Stop the Bleeding
If the wound is still bleeding, you'll need to get that under control before you can do anything else. If you have medical gauze, take the gauze and place it directly over the wound. Apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops, If the bleeding is severe, you may need to change gauze several times. It's important to note that if you don't have medical gauze, you can use a towel to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, use scissors to trim the fur away from the wound. This will allow you to get a better view of the wound.
Clean Shallow Wounds
If the wound is shallow – has not broken completely through the skin – you can wash the area with antiseptic soap. Apply water to the wound to get it wet and then add a few drops of soap. Work the soap into a later and then rinse the area with clean water. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Flush Deep Wounds
For deep wounds that will require stitches – the type that gape open, have jagged edges or are near a joint – you'll need to flush the wound to remove dirt and debris. Flush the area with lukewarm water and then apply a small amount of antiseptic soap. Gently work the soap into a lather and then rinse clean with fresh water. Pat the area dry and then wrap with medical gauze.
See the Vet
Once you have the deep wounds cleaned and wrapped, you'll need to take your dog to the animal hospital. The vet will be able to take care of any stitches or surgery that the wounds may require. In addition, your veterinarian will also be able to provide antibiotics to prevent infection in deep wounds.
If your dog has injuries that are bleeding, use the instructions provided above to clean the wounds and stop the bleeding. Be sure to contact your veterinarian for follow-up care.
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