How to Take Care of Your Dog's Small Puncture Wound

First, if your dog is scared and is shaking. Calm him down by telling him you will not hurt him, that you just want to make him feel better. Dogs do not understand what you are saying if you are speaking full sentences but they will understand the emotion behind what you are saying. Once your dog feels comforted, secure his leash around a heavy leg or the door knob or whatever will temporarily hold him there in that one place.

Then clip away the fur which is hiding the wound and if need be gently use the antibacterial soap to cleanse the area and shave it off around the wound. A puncture wound is going to look like a round gaping hole that is bloody though not too bloody. Remember if there is a lot of blood, it could be deep, and though it may be small, your dog will need to be taken to the vet a.s.a.p.

Once the area is hairless, you can get to work on cleaning your dog's wound. Start off by gently using a soapy brand new gauze to wipe away any dirt on it. This may sting your dog, so for some dogs, use a muzzle before your do this. Now, dip another sanitary gauze into a hydrogen peroxide mix (1/8 cup h.p. in 1/2 cup water)and squeeze the gauze onto the wound to throughly clean it. Finally use a squirting bottle of saline solution or your contact lens solution (storage/disinfect one) and holding it upside down, squirt it on the wound. After all this, inspect the wound and make sure that it looks pink to red. If it is beginning to swell or if the area is getting very hot, the infection has set in, so go to the vet right away.

Now that the wound has been cleaned, put on your gloves (like the ones doctors use which you can purchase by the boxful at any pharmacy). Next, open a new package of gauze and take out one piece (there are two per package). Hold the gauze in one gloved hand and use the Bactine to spray it down till the gauze is fully Bactined up. Then squeeze out your triple antibiotic onto the center of the gauze and gently place it onto your dog's wound.

Hold the gauze in place while you take off your gloves which you will discard later. Take your mailing tape and use it to tape the gauze in place (don't worry, it won't take off your dog's fur because as soon as your dog starts to sweat, the tape will fall off). Do not use any other tape like duct tape because that will take off fur! Small pieces of tape will not work either because they will not stick. Once the gauze is secure, wrap the bandage you have around your dog to hold it in place. Mind you, it will come off, and you will have to change the gauze five to six times or more daily to prevent infection. Also, if your dog repeatedly takes off the bandage because he doesn't like it, then use the mailing tape like a bandage and wrap it around your dog to secure the gauze. Remember it doesn't hurt him, it only feels crinkly, hot and slightly uncomfortable. Wait until the dog sweats and the tape becomes loose to take it off completely and change it. You can lift up the tape to change the gauze in the meantime. When changing the gauze, remember to spray Bactine onto the bandage before applying the antibiotic creme and either wash your hands well and use a hand sanitizer or wear gloves while doing this.

Keep studying the wound, if after two days it is not getting any better, consider calling the vet to make an appointment for the third day. If however, you see significant improvement, and the wound is starting to close, move onto the next step.

Now that your dog's wound is closing, consider not using the tape and or bandages anymore. He may be tired of it by now anyway. At this point, just sanitize the wound with Bactine and put some triple antibiotic or Neosporin and some R-7 Pain Relieving Lotion on it. You can obtain the latter at Petco, perhaps Petsmart too though I think you should call and ask to see if they have it first. Keep checking up on your dog and make sure his wound is clean. If his wound hasn't healed still and he is starting to act sick (not eating food or drinking water), take him to the vet right away!

Remember your dog is a family member so do as you would for your kids. In fact, if you have pet insurance, take your dog to the vet right away. If you don't have pet insurance and your dog's puncture wound is 1/2 inch wide and is not bleeding profusely, the method I described above would be alright to follow. Be sure to consult a vet about this and any other method though. Good luck, and hope your puppy gets better.