Dogs can get hurt while playing, running around or just minding their own business. You can treat mild wounds at home, but serious injuries and any wounds caused by other animals should receive immediate medical attention. Deep wounds or severe arterial bleeding can be life-threatening without proper treatment. Other animals can transmit diseases to your dog through bites and scratches. You can take steps to control bleeding and prevent infection until you're able to get help.
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Controlling Bleeding
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Applying direct pressure to the wound provides the safest and most effective way to control your dog's bleeding. Place a clean cloth or several sterile gauze squares over the wound and press down gently for five to ten minutes so that the blood can clot. Avoid wiping clots, which can make the wound bleed again. Do not remove the cloth or gauze if it becomes soaked. Place extra layers over the wound and continue to apply pressure. You can loosely bandage the area to keep the layers in place if you need a free hand.
If your dog has a severe foot or leg wound, hold her leg up to keep the wound above heart level, which will reduce blood pressure and slow the bleeding. Combine elevation with direct pressure.
If your dog is still bleeding, apply pressure to the nearest artery with your finger or thumb to try to slow bleeding. Press on the femoral artery in the inside of the thigh for a rear leg wound, the brachial artery on the inner side of the upper front leg for a front leg wound and the caudal artery at the tail base for a tail wound. Continue to use the direct pressure method as well and seek emergency care.
Potentially fatal wounds that spurt blood, such as a leg hemorrhage, can be controlled with a tourniquet, but this method can lead to amputation or disability and should only be used as a last resort. Place a wide piece of cloth or gauze on the injured limb above the wound and wrap it around twice. Knot it and tie an object such as a short stick into the knot, then twist the stick until bleeding slows. Loosen the tourniquet every ten minutes for thirty seconds until the bleeding stops.
Cleaning and Bandaging
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Wash away dirt and dried blood with water and mild soap to reduce the risk of infection. Clip fur to keep it from falling into the wound and gently pat the area dry. If your dog's wound is deep, bring him to the hospital for sutures or stitches to close the wound. For smaller or milder wounds, you can bandage your dog at home. Bandaging helps the healing process by preventing your dog from licking and reopening the wound. It also keeps dirt and bacteria from entering.
Cover the wound with a non-adhesive, sterile and absorbent pad. Place a gauze bandage over the pad and a layer of adhesive tape over the bandage. You should be able to slide two fingers under the bandage. If you can't, you'll need to loosen the bandaging to prevent cutting off blood supply to the area. When the bandage is tight enough, continue wrapping adhesive tape over the area. The tape should completely cover the gauze bandaging to hold it in place.
You can use strips of clean clothing, towels and sheets for bandaging if you don't have the proper supplies. Change your dog's bandages if they become wet or dirty. If the wound required medical attention, change the bandages as directed by your veterinarian. Cover bandaging with a plastic bag or trash bag when you take your dog outside. Have your dog wear an Elizabethan collar so she won't be able to dislodge her bandages.
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