How to Treat a Dog That Bit a Firework and Got Burned

People enjoy setting off fireworks to celebrate the New Year and 4th of July. However, to a dog, fireworks are confusing and scary. All dogs react differently. While one dog may go tearing off down the street, another dog may become aggressive and try attacking the firework. When handled this way, a lit firework can cause burns to the dog's mouth. Severe burns need to be handled immediately by a veterinarian. Minor burns however, can easily be treated at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Cold water
  • Garden hose
  • Ice pack
  • Scissors
  • Chlorhexidine solution
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Baby aspirin
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Instructions

    • 1

      Give your dog cold water to drink. If he refuses to drink, gently spray his mouth with water from the garden hose. Pat his lips dry with a clean towel.

    • 2

      Hold an ice pack to the burned areas on your dog's lips for 20 minutes or as long as she will allow it. If the dog has long facial fur, trim the fur surrounding the burned lips so it does not irritate the burn or cause infection.

    • 3

      Wash the burned area around the dog's mouth with a chlorhexidine solution, following the manufacturer's directions. Rub a pea-sized amount of antibiotic ointment over the burned area.

    • 4

      Give your dog baby aspirin for the pain. Baby aspirin may be given twice daily, with food. The amount given depends on the dog's weight. Read the chart in the third reference to determine how much your dog needs.