If your dog is injured and has a sore, it is important to keep him from licking it. Animals, particularly dogs, can compulsively lick a sore and make the injury worse. Also, if your dog licks his wound it can take longer to heal and could cause an infection.
Things You'll Need
- Elizabethan collar
- Prescribed medicine
Instructions
Take your dog to the veterinarian. If a sore is caused by an infection, it needs to be treated with medicine. The veterinarian will also be able to size a plastic Elizabethan collar for around the dog's neck.
Place the Elizabethan collar around the dog's neck making sure it is secure, but not too tight. This will stop him from being able to reach the sores with his tongue. Make sure his food and water are placed somewhere that he can get to with the collar on.
Wash each wound every day and treat it with medicine as recommended by your veterinarian.
Take your dog outside and give him a lot of exercise. If your dog has too much pent-up energy, he will be more likely to take it out by trying to lick a sore. You can take the Elizabethan collar off as you walk your dog, being sure the dog does not stop and start licking the wounds.
Keep the dog collar on the animal until the wound is healed and the veterinarian has approved its removal.