Puppies bite as part of their play and communication. Anyone who has ever rough-housed with a puppy knows what it's like to feel the puppy's teeth as it plays. Puppies bite each other during their own play. Sometimes a puppy gets overexcited and bites her playmate with a bit too much gusto. In such cases, it's a good idea to know how to treat puncture wounds on a puppy that she received from another puppy.
Things You'll Need
- Soap
- Water
- Disinfectant
- Sterile bandage
Instructions
Wash the puncture wound with cold running water. Let the water run over the wound for several minutes to wash away as much of the saliva as possible.
Puppies are susceptible to a different bacteria and viruses. Many puppies have not yet completed their courses of immunizations. Parvovirus, for example, is spread through contact with feces. Puppies routinely lick their feces and an infected puppy can infect a second puppy through a bite when the parvovirus enters through the open wound.
Wash the wound carefully with antibiotic soap and water.
Antibiotic soaps are considered safe for puppies. Be sure to wash all the soap off afterward, as otherwise it may dry and irritate the puppy's skin.
Rinse the soapy water off and apply an antibiotic ointment.
Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments are considered safe for puppies.
Cover the wound with a sterile cloth or bandage.
If the puppy tries to bite the bandage off, put a cone collar around its head for a day or two (pet stores will sell these cone collars which sit on the puppy's neck and surround its head, preventing it from biting off a bandage.The collar can also be made at home).