There is no particular season for dog paw injury and that is the toughest thing to deal as a dog owner. During winters, dog paws get injured as a result of ice on sidewalks and roads. While in summers, the dog cuts are seen from metal lawn edging and barbed wires on old ranch properties. The most important thing is to look out for the signs of dog paw injury. Look out if your furry pal is bleeding or limping.
If the bleeding does not stop, then it is the right time to take your pet to the veterinarian. It is very important to know that dogs have arteries in their paw pads and if there is an inordinate amount of bleeding, then it can mean that an artery has been hit. In such a scenario, the best thing is to take your doggy to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
The good news is that not all paw injuries in dogs are serious. There are times when a bit of your dog’s paw pad will peel off or he will get an artificial abrasion or a rash. You can apply pressure on it, thereby cleaning the wound if any, with the aid of a special ointment like Wound Gard. This will enable swift recovery.
Let us now look at step-by-step guidelines to follow while treating paw injuries of dogs at home:
Home Remedies For Treating A Dog Paw Pad Injury
1. Clean The Area
When you see your doggy suffering from a pad or foot injury the first thing that needs to be done is to clean the area well. You can do this by cleaning the area with clean water. If you are outdoors, use a bottled water instead of steam water since it can contain bacteria. Clean all the debris around the wound.
2. Take The Pet Indoors
If you notice paw injury in your furry pal take him indoors. Running on the field may increase the chances of getting debris in the wound or worsen the injury. Due to debris in the wound there are high chances of infection in the area. An infection can swiftly transform from a minor cut to a major problem.
3. Apply An Antibiotic Ointment
Use a moisturizing antibiotic ointment on the area to prevent infection. You can take help of effective Dog Wound Care Treatment products available online from reputed vendors. This will aid in treating any infection that may have found its way through the cuts along with preventing new ones to get through the open wounds. Smear only a light layer of the ointment. But ensure that there is enough air to circulate through the area.
4. Apply Bandage To The Wounded Area
Most of the time, bandage is not required for paw injuries. The reason for that is the wound needs air to fasten the healing process. But if the doggy continuously tries to lick the wound or there is a high probability of debris to enter the area then bandage would be necessary. While bandaging the area ensure that you employ light weight gauze with only 2-3 layers.
Do not wrap the bandage too tightly. This will not only restrict the movement of your furry pal, but also constrict blood flow, which would slow down the healing process. Apply a new wrap every day. While changing the bandage, give some time for the wound area to breathe. This will quicken the healing process. Before reapplying the gauze use an antibiotic cream which would protect the wound from bacterial infection. It will also prevent debris from entering the open wound.
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5. Monitor Your Dog Carefully
After you’ve successfully applied the bandages and ointment, it is important to keep a close eye on your furry buddy. You know dogs can be very curious creatures and they might try and inspect their wound. So it is essential that you pay a close watch on their actions to prevent them from biting the bandages and licking the ointment. You can also opt for a bitterant like Avert Solution. This helps in discouraging your pet from biting and licking their wounds due to the bitter taste.
6. First Aid Kit Bag Ready
We’ve said this before and we will say it again, it is very important to keep a first aid kid bag ready. Also, make sure that the kit bag has all the necessary supplies so that you can deal with situations like this quickly and more efficiently. And if the situation cannot be handled by you, immediately call for help by seeking assistance from your local vet.
While most of the paw injuries can be handled at home, the important thing is to know when it is time to go to the veterinarian. Some of the scenarios include;
- If the bleeding does not stop apply constant pressure on the wound and take your furry pal to the veterinarian as soon as possible
- If there is consistent redness, swelling or pus in the area
Hopefully, you will not have to deal with this issue this season, but even if you do; the tips given in this write-up would aid you in treating the paw injuries of your doggy.
