Breeders often have to deal with a situation where an active dog suddenly begins to limp, tucks his front paw, or licks it. This behavior usually indicates that the quadruped has injured a limb. In rare cases, an animal, keen on running and active games, may not notice the injury for some time, then the owner will learn about what happened from traces of blood on the snow or asphalt.
The dog owner must understand that a large pet, stepping on glass, will receive a deeper cut than a miniature one.
So, the dog has cut the pad on its paw - what to do in this difficult situation?
On average, the wound healing period ranges from 1 to 3 weeks
First aid for cut paws
If your dog cuts its paw, you need to remain calm. It is important to conduct a thorough examination of the limb. You don’t have to go to a medical facility if the wound is very small and not deep. In order to help an animal yourself, you need to know the basics of providing medical care.
First of all, you need to provide full access to the cut. To do this, you need to remove the hair from the injured area using scissors. It is especially important to “open” the wound in a long-haired pet. Hair that has not been cut can provoke an inflammatory process. Next, the injury site should be washed thoroughly. To do this, use running water. The cut area should not contain any particles of dirt, hair or other debris. It is strictly forbidden to use cotton wool or cotton pads to stop bleeding: fluffy fibers can cause suppuration.
How to treat a cut on a dog's pad
After cleaning the wound, you must use an antiseptic solution. Suitable for these purposes:
- A weak solution of manganese.
- Chlorhexidine.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Furacilin solution.
Attention! To make wound treatment easier, you can purchase a disposable syringe at the pharmacy.
To get rid of swelling, the areas around the cut should be smeared with brilliant green or iodine. Pouring alcohol-containing solutions into wounds is strictly prohibited; they can cause burns to muscle tissue. Neglecting this recommendation will worsen the problem and delay recovery.
Then you need to wrap a piece of gauze bandage treated with antiseptic ointment to the injured limb. These medications may be applied directly to the cut site. The dressing procedure should be done daily.
Taking protein-based medications will help speed up the healing process. Therapy is prescribed by the attending physician.
In order to help an animal with a small wound on the pillow, you can seal it with BF glue.
If a complication begins, the veterinarian will be able to diagnose and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Briefly about the main thing
- Dogs are susceptible to various injuries due to their activity. Wounds can be punctures, cuts, lacerations. Common abrasions and scratches are more common.
- Minor damage is enough to rinse and treat with an antiseptic. For deep wounds, you must first stop the bleeding, then disinfect the surface and consult a doctor.
- To treat weeping and lacerated wounds, antibiotics are prescribed for up to 14 days. This avoids suppuration and necrosis.
- If the damage does not heal, it is necessary to use wound healing drugs.
Have you ever experienced wounds on your dog? Share in the comments how to provide first aid to your pet.
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What to do if the bleeding doesn't stop
If the cut exceeds 2 cm in length or depth, and the bleeding cannot be stopped, then you cannot do without a veterinarian. You should apply a tight bandage and go to a medical facility, where a specialist will stitch the wound. Otherwise, the injury will take a very long time to heal, after which a scar will appear that will interfere with the dog’s movement.
If the cut is not deep, stitches will be placed under local anesthesia. A stitched wound will heal much faster and the animal will soon begin to walk normally.
Ranodez
Triple action veterinary gel - against microbes, inflammation, for healing and restoration of the skin.
Contains 3 active ingredients:
- Furagin is an antimicrobial substance similar to the well-known furatsilin.
- Methyluracil is a stimulator of cell regeneration and tissue healing.
- Propolis extract is a natural antiseptic, disinfects, soothes, softens the skin.
Ranodesis is used to treat traumatic and surgical wounds, purulent-inflammatory skin lesions, burns, and bedsores. The gel is applied 1 or 2 times a day depending on the depth of the damage. The maximum course is 20 days. Ranodez 20 g costs from 220 rubles.
What not to do if your dog cuts his paw pad
There is no need to apply a tourniquet without proper experience. To perform the procedure correctly, you must have certain skills. An ineptly applied tourniquet will only increase bleeding, while a regular gauze bandage will stop the bleeding within 20 minutes.
You should refuse treatment with urine, and also refrain from treating the wound with powder products. The well-known crystalline drug with antibacterial action can cause a burn of muscle tissue. It is possible that the owner’s carelessness will result in the formation of purulent wounds and worsen the animal’s condition.
Contrary to popular belief, you should not allow your dog to lick a cut.
Attention! The healing ability of saliva is noticeably exaggerated!
The oral cavity contains a high concentration of bacteria and microorganisms. This type of therapy will not alleviate the dog's suffering. The dog will not be able to reach the wound if you put a special collar on his neck. It is important to ensure careful monitoring of the four-legged animal during this period.
A special collar will prevent the dog from bothering the wound
Methyluracil
Medical ointment that stimulates cellular regeneration in wounds. It does not contain antibiotics or antiseptics, so it is used for non-infectious injuries.
It contains only the healing component methyluracil, as well as softening and protective lanolin and petroleum jelly. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of poorly healing wounds, cracks, burns, dermatitis, not complicated by infection.
Treatments are carried out twice a day until complete healing. Methyluracil can be combined with antiseptic and antibacterial applications. The price starts from 65 rubles.
How to apply a bandage so your dog can't remove it
To prevent the dog from removing the bandages, you need to put a baby sock on the injured limb. Additional fixation will be provided by simple tape. To do this, wrap adhesive tape over the dressing material at the narrowest point. If you need to repeat the treatment of the wound, just cut the tape using office scissors.
Licking wounds is a natural behavior pattern for dogs, but in this case it is inappropriate
Anandin
Veterinary ointment with a complex wound healing effect. The drug prevents the development of infection in the wound, stimulates cell renewal, and reduces healing time.
Anandin stimulates the production of its own interferons, increases the activity of immune cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
The ointment is rubbed in without removing the crusts or cutting the hair. Before re-application, carefully remove the residue with a swab soaked in saline or antiseptic, without injuring the young epithelium.
Treatments are repeated 1 to 3 times a day for 4 to 7 days. During treatment, protect the application site from direct sun. Anandin price 10 g from 60 rub.
Prevention and elimination of purulent inflammation
After the bleeding has been stopped, it is necessary to prevent purulent complications. Through a cut, an infection can be introduced into the animal’s body (it’s not for nothing that an open wound is called a “gateway” for pathogens of infectious diseases). Injured skin is very susceptible to external factors and creates a high risk of developing pathogenic microflora. The use of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide during antiseptic treatment, thanks to active oxygen, makes it possible to defeat anaerobic purulent bacteria. The bandage should be applied in such a way that the blood vessels on the animal’s paw are not compressed. At the site of bone articulation, the dressing material is secured on both sides.
If suppuration has already begun, it is advisable to cover the wound with sterile material and show the pet to a doctor.
In a situation where there is no opportunity to visit a medical facility, you will have to act independently. Sutures are not used on festering wounds. Great attention must be paid to cleansing the wound. This will be followed by applying ointment and a sterile bandage to the dog's paw. To prevent the dog from licking, you need to use special devices.
Attention! If the dog’s condition has worsened: the temperature has risen, convulsions have begun, the animal is lethargic and refuses to eat – there is no time to hesitate! The dog needs to be seen by a doctor, most likely he will need antibiotics!
The wound should be treated as soon as possible
Pikhtoin
Veterinary ointment based on pine resin (resin), which is famous for its medicinal properties:
- Disinfects wounds.
- Stimulates metabolic processes in cells.
- Accelerates regeneration.
- Promotes healing of damage.
- Stops the inflammatory process.
- Relieves swelling and pain.
The biologically active substances of oleoresin are absorbed through the sebaceous glands and enter the deep layers of the skin, where they improve blood supply, dilate blood vessels, and resolve inflammatory products.
Fir is used to treat wounds, eczema, burns, boils, and dermatitis. For mastitis and bruises, warming bandages are applied. Treatments are carried out 1 – 2 times a day for 5 – 10 days. Before each application, remove any remaining ointment from the previous treatment with a napkin. A 15 g jar of Pikhtoin costs from 50 rubles.
In what cases should you contact a veterinarian?
Only a doctor can give an objective assessment of the animal’s condition if the dog has cut the pad on its paw. Even if the owner was able to stop the bleeding without difficulty, there is no point in refusing to have the wound examined by a specialist. The doctor will give his recommendations, tell you about the conditions of detention in the current situation, and tell you how to speed up recovery.
If the cut is too severe, a healthcare professional will need stitches. In practice, there have been many cases when it is impossible to clear the affected area of foreign bodies without surgical intervention.
In addition, a visit to the veterinary clinic is necessary if:
- Cut tissue between fingers.
- Damage to nails and joints.
- Tendon and ligament deformities.
Attention! The three problems listed above, if the dog has injured its paw, can lead to interdigital inflammation, skin rejection and complete limitation of motor activity.
Answer
Purulent wounds are considered a common surgical pathology in pets. Ulcerations on the paw pads appear from bites from other animals; the dog can step on a sharp object or cut itself, or drive a splinter into the paw pad. Since the dog steps on the ground and grass with its pads, such lesions instantly become infected and begin to fester. The damage is small and a person does not notice the wounds immediately.
A wound is a mechanical damage to soft tissues that causes a violation of the integrity of the skin. Clinically divided into purulent and clean. On the pads of the limbs, wounds are predominantly puncture, cut, or torn.
Infected wounds cause the animal severe pain. The soft tissue surrounding the lesion becomes inflamed, and purulent discharge is discharged. Healing of purulent infected ulcers occurs with primary intention, secondary intention and under the scab.
How to walk with an animal and prevent cut paws
To prevent the occurrence of cuts, you should avoid walking in places where garbage may be scattered, you should avoid dirty streets and uncleaned lawns. You can often find broken glass or sharp objects on them. You must not let the animal out of sight, because the owner, while walking, is responsible for the well-being of his pet. It is best to go to a specialized site, even if it is not very close to home.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict everything, but every effort should be made to avoid injury. Every person should strive for cleanliness and pick up trash after a picnic; careless treatment of nature has a detrimental effect on the environment and causes trouble not only for people, but also for their pets.
It is better to walk with your pet in specially designated areas.
Ichthyol ointment
An old, time-tested remedy that has been used to treat skin damage and dermatitis in humans and animals for over 100 years.
Ichthyol is an oily substance obtained by processing shale rocks with the remains of fossil fish and shellfish. In essence, it is a concentrate of biologically active organic substances with a high sulfur content.
The ointment is produced with two types of ichthyol concentration:
- 10% – for treating wounds, burns, inflammations, eczema.
- 20% – for the treatment of purulent lesions, pyoderma, furunculosis.
Treatments are done 1 – 2 times a day for 5 to 10 days. Ichthyol has a beneficial effect on the skin: it disinfects, draws out inflammatory products, restores blood flow, and accelerates healing. A 30 g jar of Ichthyol ointment costs 40 rubles.
Common mistakes when treating cuts at home
The most common mistakes are:
- Inaction, in the hope that the dog will heal itself by licking the wound.
- Inept application of a tourniquet.
- Using alcohol-based products to treat cuts.
- The use of fibrous material to cleanse the wound.
A dog is man's best friend. And the breeder should definitely know what to do if the dog hurts its paw.
Any owner should definitely know what to do if a dog hurts its paw
A wound licked by an animal heals twice as slowly. To prevent the dog from tearing off the bandage and reaching the sore spot with his tongue, a collar is put on his neck.
Saphroderm
Veterinary drug for the treatment of traumatic injuries and non-infectious dermatitis based on natural ingredients. Contains nettle leaf extract and Sophora japonica fruit extract. Available in 3 dosage forms: gel, spray, alcohol tincture.
Bioactive substances of plant extracts reduce skin recovery time:
- improve blood supply to tissues;
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- accelerate granulation;
- stimulate cellular regeneration and epithelialization.
In addition, they inhibit the spread of harmful microbes, soothe the skin, and reduce pain.
See a separate article for a full description and methods of using Saphroderm for dogs.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of pododermatitis is a complex undertaking. The doctor needs to identify one from many possible causes and prescribe treatment in accordance with it.
Diagnostic algorithm:
- Examination of the dog's paws and interview of the owner. It is necessary to find out when and how the wounds appeared, as well as what the previous treatment was.
- Taking a scraping to identify mites.
- Microflora analysis to detect fungal infections.
- Diagnosis of allergies.
- Study of tissue characteristics for suspected hereditary diseases, epidermal necrosis and other hormonal or immune pathologies.
The disease should be diagnosed only after a thorough examination of all clinical signs. Some diagnoses are as simple as the presence of mites. And such as allergies can be identified only after excluding the possibility of a skin reaction to external or internal parasites. Hormonal pathologies are calculated based on the results of a blood test. Conformational pododermatitis in dogs is diagnosed based on the shape of the foot and only after other possible causes have been ruled out.
Solcoseryl
A medical product for restoring skin after wounds and burns. The active substance, isolated from the blood of calves, reduces the healing time of soft tissues and skin by 30%.
Solcoseryl for external use is available in two dosage forms:
- The gel is used for fresh, deep, superficial weeping wounds. It removes wet exudate, accelerates regeneration and epithelial formation.
- The ointment is used for dry wounds, cracks, scratches, when the edges are seized by a crust, tissue epithelization has begun. It reduces healing time, covers the damaged area with a protective film, and softens the new epithelium. If wet discharge appears on the surface again, it is recommended to switch to gel.
The method of using Solcoseryl ointment and gel is the same. The product is applied 2-3 times a day in a thin layer until clinical recovery.
