What Are the Treatments for a Dog Nicked During Grooming?

Proper care of your dog's nicks and cuts is essential to his well-being. Neglecting care or improper care can lead to dirt and bacteria entering the wound and infecting it. When treating dog wounds, your main focus must be on avoiding infections and stopping the bleeding. Learn how to properly care for dog wounds. This way, when an incident occurs, you'll know exactly what to do.

  1. Control the Bleeding

    • To stop a wound from bleeding, apply constant pressure to it with sterile gauze pads or a clean cloth. Hold the gauze over the wound for at least five minutes. You want the blood to clot so the bleeding stops. If the wound is bleeding profusely, if it's larger than 1/2 inch or if you've nicked an artery, take your pet companion to a veterinary hospital. Sutures may be needed to stop the bleeding and prevent infections.

    Prepping the Skin

    • Cover the cut with a layer of petroleum jelly while you clean the skin around it with antiseptic solution, such as povidone-iodine. The petroleum jelly keeps the antiseptic solution from entering the wound and causing irritation. Remove the hair surrounding the wound with clippers or scissors. This allows you to better see the cut, and prevents hair from getting in it. Carefully wipe off the petroleum jelly after prepping the surrounding skin.

    Irrigating the Wound

    • Tap water can be used to clean bacteria and dirt from the cut. Fill a large syringe with water and empty it over the wound. Use a commercial high-pressure irrigation system as an alternative. Avoid wiping the wound clean with a wet piece of gauze, because this can trigger bleeding. Rinse the wound until the skin appears clean. Pat the skin dry with sterile gauze.

    Bandaging the Wound

    • Apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment to the cut to help promote healing. Avoid getting the ointment in your dog's mouth, nose and eyes. Placing a bandage over the cut helps to protect it from dirt and debris. Additionally, your pet companion won't have direct access to the wound and can't lick or bite it. According to WebMD, leg and foot wounds are best covered up with a bandage and neck and head wounds are best left uncovered. Change the dressing at least every other day and apply a fresh layer of triple antibiotic ointment each time.