Wounds in pets are fairly common, and chances are big your pet will experience one or more during their lifetime. There are open wounds whereby there is a break in the skin, such as scrapes and laceration, and closed ones like bruises, where the skin isn’t broken. In this article, we will focus on open wounds. When your pet has a wound, the first thing you should do is closely inspect it. Any wounds that are extensive, deep, bleeding severely, that have broken the body wall (the muscle that protects the internal organs), have exposed bone, or have a foreign object penetrating (such as a stick or piece of glass), are a medical emergency, and the pet should be taken to the vet straight away. Wounds on the chest or abdomen, or any sensitive area such as eyes, should be assessed by a veterinarian to rule out any internal damage, or damage that isn’t visible from the outside.
First AID for minor wounds
Before starting first AID take safety precautions to keep yourself safe, for example by putting on a muzzle. When animals are in pain, they might behave unpredictable. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure for a minimum of 10 minutes, of which the first 5 minutes undisturbed, directly on the wound with a sterile non-adherent gauze or clean cloth to stop the bleeding. Avoid cotton wool and tissues as they will leave fibres in the wound. If the bleeding continues following the 10 minutes of pressure, contact your veterinarian.
Once the bleeding has stopped, remove the fur from around your pet’s wound, as it’s likely to become matted and soiled, and will get stuck into the wound, which will slow down healing and can lead to infection. Only remove the fur if you have access to sanitised and disinfected clippers or scissors.
The next step is to flush the wound. Rinse the wound with body temperature saline if you have this available, or plenty of fresh and clean body temperature water. Flushing the wound will remove debris and hydrate the wound. After flushing you can have a better look at the wound and assess the situation. There is no need for antiseptics, soaps, hydro peroxide, rubbing alcohol, shampoos, unless instructed by your veterinarian as they can be irritating, hinder healing, and even potentially be toxic when ingested depending on the product used.
Once the wound is clean, it can be gently dried with a clean cloth and bandaged to prevent contamination or further injuries. Only use creams or ointments on the wound after speaking with the vet.. For wounds on paws or legs, a simple dressing of light bandage material, or even a sock secured, will be sufficient. Wounds on the head, neck, chest, and abdomen can be bandaged with self adhesive gauze, or by taping a gauze to the skin directly. Bandages that go around the tail, leg, or other parts of the pet should be so loose that you can slip an index finger comfortably between the skin and bandage. When a bandage is applied to tight, it will disrupt blood flow, and lead to swelling. Regularly check for swelling, and remove the bandage immediately if you notice any. Refresh the bandage daily.
After providing first AID, you can contact your vet who will determine if you need to come in, and what will be the best way to manage the wound. This will all depend on the location, type, and severity. If you suspect the wound needs stitching, it’s important to have your pet seen as soon as possible. If your pet tries to bite, remove, or lick the bandage/wound, put a cone on them.
Chest Wounds
In the chest we find many fragile organs, such as the lungs, so it’s important that any major wounds are assessed by a veterinarian. If your pet is having difficulty breathing, is making unusual noises, or seems to have increased abdominal or chest movement when breathing, it may indicate their lung has collapsed, or they have other serious internal damage. A sucking sound out of the wound may indicate the wound has penetrated the chest.. If the wound is bleeding severely, pressure can be applied as explained above. Do not clean the wound, the pet should be taken to the vet ASAP.
Abdominal Wounds
Just like in the chest, many organs are located in the abdomen. When wounds have penetrated the abdomen, or when organs can be seen, the wound is an medical emergency and should be seen by a vet at the earliest. If the wound is bleeding severely, pressure can be applied as explained above. Do not clean the wound, the pet should be taken to the vet ASAP. If any organs got pushed out of the abdomen, cover them with a clean towel soaked in clean body warm water and hold them in place while rushing your pet to the vet, do not try and push them back. Do not leave your pet unsupervised as they may damage the exposed organs.
Conclusion
When it comes to wound care for pets, it’s key to assess the situation before it’s started. Some wounds may be too severe to handle yourself, and the pet should be taken to the vet immediately, while minor wounds may be cared for at home. Always err on the side of caution, as damages may not always be visible to the eye.
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