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Wounds can be classified as either open (i.e. a break in the skin) or closed (e.g. a bruise).
The skin protects your dog's body from toxins and bacteria from entering his body. But when your dog is wounded and the skin is broken, even if just a small area, bacteria and other harmful organisms can gain access into the body, causing infection.
It is therefore important to learn how to treat dog wounds.
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In general, if you see a wound that is spurting blood or the blood is coming out in pulses, it is extremely serious and you should get your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
If blood is flowing or dripping out from the wound, the bleeding is still considered to be very serious and again, an immediate trip to your vet is necessary.
If blood is oozing or seeping out, the wound is usually not so deep and can be treated at home.
If your dog is bleeding profusely, you need to try to stop (or at least slow down) the bleeding while on your way to the vet. If you are driving, ask someone to attend to the dog.
To stop bleeding from a wound, apply direct pressure with a sterile gauze pad or a clean towel.
Some people tend to keep lifting the towel or gauze to check on the wound and the bleeding.
Don't! Otherwise, it will be difficult for the blood to clot. Similarly, DO NOT remove the towel or gauze even if it is soaked with blood. Just continue to add more gauze or towels on top of the soaked ones.
You should also elevate the bleeding source so that it is above the level of your dog's heart.
For severe bleeding, you need to apply direct pressure to the arteries that supply the wounded area. These pressure points are located at the upper inside (armpit) of the front legs, the upper inside of the hind legs and the underside of the tail.
Only use a tourniquet as a last resort or on the advice of a vet or human doctor.
If you can determine that your dog's wound is not so serious as to warrant a trip to the vet, try treating the wound at home as follows.
Clean the wound once bleeding has stopped.
First, use a pair of scissors to trim the hair surrounding the wound. Dipping the scissors in mineral oil before cutting the hair will cause the hair to stick to the scissors instead of falling into the wound.
Be very careful with the scissors so you don't cut the skin accidentally. Ask someone to restrain the dog if necessary.
If hair trimming is made difficult by crusted blood and debris on the wound, try to soften this material with warm water and soft toweling. Blot the area gently.
Once the hair has been trimmed and the entire wound revealed, flush it well with warm distilled water or a sterile saline solution.
Pat dry the wound.
Next, disinfect the wound using a mild antiseptic. I find these Chlorhexidine antiseptic wipes very handy:
Alternatively, get a Chlorhexidine 2% solution. Put some on a piece of sterile gauze and use it to disinfect the wound.
Next, to further facilitate clotting of blood on the wound, you can try using either of the following herbal remedies:
1. Calendula: Spread a thin coat of calendula ointment on one side of a non-stick pad and apply it directly to the wound.
2. Yunnan Baiyao: This is a Chinese herbal powder that is commonly used to stop bleeding (both externally and internally). Just sprinkle some of the powder non-stick pad and apply it directly to the wound.
Using a roll of cotton gauze or bandage, trap the pad against the skin and wrap the gauze around the body part in a manner that will keep the pad in place.
Be careful not to wrap the gauze too tightly, otherwise blood circulation will be cut off. Changing the bandage once a day and keeping the wound clean will help the healing.
If dog wounds are accompanied by a lot of bruising (such as in bite wounds), use the homeopathic remedy Arnica to ease the bruises. It is very effective. Just give your dog two pellets of Arnica (30C) once or twice on the day of the injury.
To help you dog's wound heal properly, consider supplying him with extra nutrients to boost his immune system. Here is what you can give to your dog:
Dogs are curious and could sometimes get injured or into trouble as a result. It is therefore important to have a first aid kit for your dog. If you are unsure as to what to put in a dog first aid kit, see this page for suggestions.