Step 1: Clean the wound
- If the cut is deep, the best option may be to take your pet to the vet to have them clean and dress the wound.
- If you opt for cleaning the cut at home, start by washing your own hands thoroughly with soap and water, then use sterile saline (or warm water and soap if you don’t have saline) to gently clean the cut itself, flushing away any dirt or debris.
- Take care when treating a cut near your dog’s eyes, and ensure that you are flushing in the correct direction - from the outer to the inner eye corner so as not to get soap or debris in the eye itself.
- Be careful not to rub or scrub the wound, as this could cause further irritation.
Step 2: Stop the bleeding
- While minor bleeding is normal, you’ll want to stop any heavy or prolonged bleeding.
- Apply direct pressure to the cut with a clean, lint-free cloth or gauze pad.
- If the bleeding continues for more than 5-10 minutes or is especially severe, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
Step 3: Apply antibiotic ointment
- Once the cut has stopped bleeding, you should apply an antibiotic ointment to keep it clean and prevent infection.
- Some recommended ointments include neomycin and polymixin B sulfates (such as Neosporin), erythromycin, and bacitracin.
- Be sure to avoid ointments containing benzocaine, such as Bactine, which can actually cause eye irritation.
Step 4: Bandage the wound
- Although not always necessary, bandaging can help to protect the cut from becoming accidentally scratched or agitated, and it can also keep any medications in place.
- If your dog will leave a bandage alone, there are commercial self-adhering bandages that can be wrapped around the eye area, creating a cone shape over the eye to protect it.
- If these bandages are not an option or if your dog will try to remove them, simply apply the antibiotic ointment directly to the cut and keep an eye on it, or consider having your vet use skin glue to cover the wound.
Step 5: Monitor your dog closely
- Keep a close eye on your dog to ensure that the cut is healing properly.
- Signs that there may be a problem include:
-- the wound is not improving after 2-3 days
-- the wound appears infected (oozing pus or fluid, redness, swelling)
-- the wound is causing your dog significant discomfort
- If you notice any of these signs, seek veterinary attention promptly.