How to treat purulent wounds in dogs. How to treat wounds in dogs: the choice, composition and properties of antiseptic drugs and the rules for treating wounds. Wound healing process

Dogs are often subjected to a variety of injuries. Damage to the skin can be both harmless and dangerous - purulent, weeping, lacerated. Competent actions of the owner to help the pet involve the use of antiseptic and antimicrobial local agents. The tactics of treating injuries depends on the nature of the injury and its course. In severe cases, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, surgical procedures is indicated.

Damage to the skin depends to a large extent on the nature of the injuring object and is divided into the following types:

Chipped. Wounds are usually inflicted with a sharp object that easily pushes living tissue apart. The wound canal can be smooth or rough, depending on the nature of the damaging factor.
Cut. One of the most common types of wounds in animals. Such damage is inflicted by dissecting the integumentary and muscle tissues with sharp objects. As a rule, such injuries have smooth edges.
Chopped. This type of injury is characterized by severe destruction of deep tissue layers, blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves. Often, with a chopped wound, destruction of joints and bone structures is noted.
Bruised. Wounds are observed when blunt objects are exposed to living tissues. The injury is characterized by crushing and crushing of the skin layers and muscles, minor bleeding.
Torn. The trauma is inflicted with a pointed object acting in an oblique direction. It is characterized by rupture of blood vessels, tendons, and rapid penetration of infection.

Bitten. Most often, this type of damage is received by a dog during fights with relatives. This type of injury is dangerous by infection of the animal with rabies.
Firearms. Characterized by severe tissue damage, severe bleeding. The outcome of these injuries is often fatal.

Often, animals receive combined injuries, for example, stab-bruised, bruised-torn, etc. Any wound received carries the risk of infection. Dust, dirt, rust, wool, foreign bodies get into the wound channel with a damaging object. Therefore, any, even the most harmless at first glance, injuries, the owner must be able to treat with antiseptic agents in compliance with the rules of asepsis.

How to treat a superficial wound in a dog

The owner is able to treat small and shallow skin lesions himself. Veterinary experts recommend in this case to carry out the following procedures for a sick pet:

Free the wound surface from dirt, dust and foreign bodies. This can be done with a cotton pad moistened with hydrogen peroxide or Chlorhexidine solution.
Remove hair around the wound channel with scissors or a safety razor.
Stop bleeding with hydrogen peroxide by briefly pressing on a blood vessel.
Treat the edges of the wound with an antiseptic.
Prevent animals from licking injuries. The rough tongue of the dog irritates the damaged tissue, leading to infection of the clean wound. For this purpose, the wound surface can be covered with a bandage or put on the dog.

Owners, faced with the need to treat a wound, are often lost, which is better to use from a wide arsenal of antiseptic agents. Veterinarians recommend keeping in the medicine cabinet primarily hydrogen peroxide. The tool has an excellent hemostatic effect, does not cause damaged tissues.

Chlorhexidine solution is suitable for treating wounds of various types. The drug is easy to use, effectively removes dirt and fights against the most common pathogenic microorganisms.

Antiseptics for treating wounds

The solution of Miramistin copes with the antibacterial protection of the wound surface perfectly. The product does not cause burns to injured tissues and mucous membranes, has excellent bactericidal properties, and is active against viruses. Miramistin not only resists the development of purulent inflammation in the wound, but also promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues.

Furacilin is a widespread preparation for treating wounds. The product does not have a pungent odor, does not irritate damaged skin, if the concentration is observed. To prepare an antiseptic, one tablet is dissolved in 100 ml of warm water. The solution is used both for the treatment of clean wounds and for injuries complicated by a purulent infection.

As for such agents as iodine solution, brilliant green, veterinarians do not recommend these antiseptics for treating the wound surface in animals. Alcohol solutions cause burns to damaged tissues, dry out and irritate the skin.

What to do if the wound won't heal

The process of wound healing consists of the phase of formation of purulent exudate and tissue granulation. Any violation of the integrity of the skin is accompanied by the penetration of dirt, pieces of skin, hair, dust into the wound channel. This leads to the fact that the body's defenses connect mechanisms aimed at the formation of pus. The exudate has a proteolytic effect: it cleans the wound from purulent contents and dirt.

Superficial and uncomplicated trauma infections heal, as a rule, after 7-14 days. By primary intention, surgical wounds are also healed.

Broken wounds, lacerations, and infected skin lesions are often characterized by a long healing period. This is due to the fact that the process of overgrowth is not primary, but secondary tension. In this case, the owner must seek qualified assistance from a veterinary institution.

Torn, crushed, and long-term non-healing uninfected lesions undergo surgical intervention with excision of the edges. This manipulation allows you to direct the process of overgrowth by primary tension. In the future, trauma care is no different from treating a clean wound.

How to treat a lacerated, weeping wound

Any damage to the skin of a dog is accompanied by seeding of the wound channel with pathogenic microorganisms. Deep penetrating wounds or lacerations are often accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process.

Failure to comply with the rules of asepsis and antiseptics when treating lesions can also lead to inflammation at the site of a violation of the integrity of the skin. In these cases, exudate is released onto the surface of the wound. The liquid contains lymph, blood plasma, lymphocytes, leukocytes and other products of the inflammatory reaction.

Exudate on the surface of the wound is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microflora. This leads to the development of a weeping nature of the injury. An unpleasant odor emanates from the wound. The general state of the animal is depressed, apathetic.

Treatment is aimed at removing exudate, dried crusts. The wound should be treated in accordance with the rules of asepsis and antiseptics. With itching and soreness, the pet, on the recommendation of a doctor, is used antihistamines, analgesics. Means such as Suprastin, Tavegil, reduce the production of histamine-like substances, which reduces the volume of exudate in the area of the wound channel.

Antihistamines

In order to combat pathogenic microflora, ointments with an antibacterial effect are used, for example, Levomikol, Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Vishnevsky liniment. If necessary, the dog is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics.

For the treatment of wounds in dogs, see this video:

Antibiotic for a purulent process

The purulent process in the wound canal is accompanied, as a rule, not only by the accumulation of exudate, but also by general symptoms: fever, lack of appetite, apathy, depression. In this case, the dog is prescribed antibacterial drugs on the recommendation of a veterinarian. In veterinary practice, groups of penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines are most often used.

Of the antibiotics of the penicillin series, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Sinulox are used in the treatment of purulent wounds. Of the drugs of the cephalosporin group for the treatment of wounds complicated by purulent infection, Cephalexin, Cephalen, Cefotaxime are used. Tetracyclines, for example, Doxycycline, are effective in purulent processes. The course of treatment is 10-14 days. In the event that the wound is complicated by infection, stitches are prohibited.

Found deep open on the leg, neck, back - what to do?

If a deep wound is found in the pet, the owner should be given first aid. The wounded surface must be washed, free from dirt, wool, foreign objects. To treat trauma, antiseptic solutions should be used - Formalin, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin.

After treating the wound surface, the owner should seek qualified help. The veterinarian, after examining the nature of the wound and debridement of the wound channel, usually sutures. This is done in order to prevent the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the deep layers of tissues.

With deep damage to the limbs, neck, back of the animal, antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action are prescribed without fail.

Treatment of wounds in dogs begins with the initial treatment of the injury. Superficial and uncomplicated wounds heal by primary intention and, as a rule, do not require the use of antibiotics. With complications of damage by pathogenic microflora, the wound can acquire a purulent or weeping character.

For the treatment of such injuries, antibacterial ointments are used, as well as antibiotics. Stitches are not applied to purulent wounds. Deep injuries require stitching and the use of effective antimicrobial drugs.

Active dogs sometimes get into dog fights. Therefore, you need to know what to do if the dog got into a fight while walking. Even a well-mannered dog can become a victim of a pack of stray dogs, which sometimes rush at home in a pack. As a result, a wound in a dog can take a long time to heal and remind of an unpleasant incident. To prevent this from happening, choose safe routes and parks for walking.

Treating wounds in dogs requires a lot of patience, both in the dog and in its owners. If your pet is hurt, don't panic, cry or scold the dog.

If there is an owner next to the dog that has bitten your pet, ask if the dog has a veterinary passport and a valid rabies vaccination.
Bite and laceration wounds are usually the result of such dog fights. Every dog breeder needs to know how to provide first aid to a pet.

First, it is necessary to assess the nature of the wound, how large it is, to determine whether there is bleeding, if there is, what kind of bleeding it is and how strong it is. If the wound is minor, then it will need to be treated with an antiseptic. If it is of a serious nature (there are bites, torn edges, etc.), then an urgent need to consult a veterinarian!

How to determine the type of bleeding?

Capillary - blood comes out of the wound in small droplets.
Venous bleeding - blood pours in a uniform stream of dark color.
Arterial, the most dangerous - the blood is bright red, it comes out of the wound in jerks.

If you have venous or arterial bleeding, apply a compression bandage and see your veterinarian.

Sequence of actions, first aid:

Shave or shave off the damage.
If dirt gets into the wound, wash the wound with antiseptics after removing the hair.
Disinfect with hydrogen peroxide solution or chlorhexidine. If there are no medicines nearby, use running water.
Penetrating trauma to the chest or abdominal cavity - immediately take the animal to the veterinary clinic. A specialist will tell you how to heal a dog's wound. You need to try to stop the blood, disinfect the injured area, apply a bandage.

After providing first aid, immediately contact the veterinary clinic, where the doctor will examine the animal, perform a surgical treatment of the wound, if necessary, suture or install a drainage system, and prescribe a course of antibiotic therapy.

Do not neglect a professional examination, even if the wound is insignificant in your opinion. In most cases, after poor-quality processing and improper actions on the part of the owner, complications occur in the form of abscesses, wound festering, sepsis and long healing.

In the case of bleeding wounds, untimely care can cost your pet's life.

What ointments are used to treat wounds?

For first aid, the owner should always have a solution of Chlorhexidine, Levomekol ointment, Ranosan or any other ointment with a wound healing effect, bandages, napkins. Other medications are prescribed by the attending physician on a case-by-case basis.

If you go hunting with your dog or on a multi-day hike, it is better to take the necessary medications with you than to think about how to help your pet later. It is worth remembering that the animal's wound should always be washed thoroughly, without leaving hair, dirt, crusts, etc. in it. otherwise, all treatments will only be harmful, and the wound will soon begin to fester.

A dog's wound festers - what should the owner do

It happens that the owner does not know how to treat an open wound in a dog. Or does not immediately notice that the dog has a large splinter or wound that is invisible under the coat. In this case, the wound may begin to fester. The treatment of such wounds is complicated and requires immediate veterinary intervention.

Before going to the doctor, such a wound can be washed with hydrogen peroxide, pre-cut the hair and remove pus and dirt.

Remember that the life and health of your pet depends on your actions! If the trouble happened far from the city and you cannot see a doctor soon, contact him by phone and he will give you recommendations regarding your case.

It is difficult to find at least one experienced dog breeder who, in all his practice, has never encountered injuries in his pets. Simple wounds received by animals during careless play or while walking in the forest (as a rule) do not pose a particular danger. It is a different matter if these damages begin to fester. A purulent wound in a dog is an unpleasant and dangerous pathology, if only because threatens the body with sepsis.

Everything is pretty simple here. If a pyogenic microflora gets into an open wound and if the animal is not provided with elementary veterinary care, there is every chance of developing purulent inflammation. The younger or older the dog is, the higher the likelihood of such an outcome, since in puppies and older dogs, the body's defense system does not work well. Increase the chances of suppuration, bad and constant effects, which greatly "plant" the immune system.

Pus itself is a mixture of dead microorganisms and dead leukocytes. The latter secrete many lysing (dissolving) enzymes, so that pus has an extremely unpleasant property - it literally dissolves adjacent tissues. It is for this reason that foci of purulent inflammation, if they are located near large vessels, nerve plexuses and other vital organs, are extremely dangerous to the health and life of the dog.

Pus, by the way, can also be different. Typically, it falls into two categories: benign and malignant. The first type of pus is thick, greenish yellow or creamy. The malignant secret is thin, pale. Benign pus is called due to the fact that its thick consistency indicates a normal tension of immunity (and the fact that it exists at all). A liquid substance directly indicates an insufficient production of leukocytes, which may indicate a complete depletion of the body's defense mechanisms.

Read also: Tubazide poisoning in dogs - symptoms and treatment

What should be remembered before treating purulent wounds? The most important thing is accuracy. In no case should the pyogenic microflora enter the general bloodstream, as this can lead to the development sepsis. Never try to "squeeze out", "undercut a little" etc., since such manipulations should only be performed by a qualified specialist! The task of the owner of the animal should be to evacuate the purulent contents of the wound so that the pus does not melt the adjacent tissues.

By the way, when will the veterinarian's help be urgently needed? You need to take your dog to a specialist in the following cases:

From the wound smells bad, the condition of the animal inspires concern(the pet is lethargic, its general body is increased, etc.).

The wound itself is not an open injury, but a closed cavity. This happens when a splinter that has fallen into the muscles suppurates, often this happens after dog fights. In this case the wound channel will need to be widened and drain inserted, but the average breeder is unlikely to be able to carry out all these manipulations.

If too a large area of the wound lesion. It is quite possible that in this case the remnants of tissue will have to be excised, and, again, only a qualified specialist can cope with this.

Cleanliness is the key to health

To ensure proper cleanliness around the wound, you need to gently cut off all the fur around her. After all, hair that sticks together from pus is a good environment for microorganisms, which lead to the development of inflammation and maceration of the skin. In addition, it is much more convenient to apply bandages to a clean wound area. What else do you need to keep in mind when treating dogs at home?

Read also: Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in dogs

If the wound is already running, and the area around it looks like one large, unkempt ball of hair that has clumped together from pus, you will have to work hard. Neatly cut off all the tangles, and remove the dried exudate using a cotton-gauze swab moistened with hydrogen peroxide. Try not to press too hard: if the dirt does not lend itself, just moisten it well with peroxide and wait until everything is soaked.

If there are any foreign bodies (dirt, wool, chips) in the wound, try to carefully remove them. You do not need to use your fingers for this, it is better to use tweezers (preferably clean). When the object is too large and goes deep into the wound, do not touch it at all, but immediately take the pet to the veterinarian. And now we will tell you how you can treat a purulent wound in a dog.

Bandaging

In no case do not fill the wound with iodine or brilliant green! This will only make it worse. Climbing into the wound itself and scrubbing out pus is also not worth it. It can be washed with a solution of Pharmoksidin and all the same peroxide (not "stronger" than a 3% solution). This should be done two to three times a day. On the wound itself, tampons soaked in Vishnevsky's balsamic liniment, levomekol or Shostakovsky's balsam are applied. From above, all this is fixed with a bandage or plaster. You can also dust the wound surface with streptomycin.

Important! Never rewind festering wounds completely, do not cover their surface with foil! Such damage must necessarily come into contact with oxygen from the air, which prevents the development of anaerobic microflora.

In almost all cases, antibiotics... For purulent wounds in dogs, preparations of the cephalosporin series have proven themselves well. They are dissolved in a 0.5% solution of novocaine and the resulting solution is injected with damage around the perimeter. In severe cases, it is also desirable to administer broad-spectrum drugs intravenously, as this prevents the development of septic lesions.

A dog is man's best friend. And it is desirable for a person to know how to help a smaller comrade in a dangerous situation.

The dog can get hurt while walking, in the yard, during training, fighting with other animals, worst of all - colliding with a car on the road. There are small wounds, there are serious ones, and the poor animal is not able to help itself. Only people will be able to ease the torment and help him out. Therefore, even if a person does not have his own dog, he should understand how to provide medical support to a furry friend and how to treat a dog's wound.

First aid for a cut in a dog

Surely, all dog lovers know how their restless pets like to meddle, anywhere, and as a result get scratches and cuts. Legs are especially often cut, since the ground, unfortunately, is strewn with various prickly debris - this is broken glass, and building materials, pieces of iron, wire. In this case, don't panic. In general, it is required to perform the same manipulations that are undertaken in relation to a person.

Treatment

The order of planned actions:

rinse the cut with cleaned cool water;
cut around, or even shave off the fur;
treat the area surrounding the cut with hydrogen peroxide - it perfectly disinfects, removes impurities and stops blood.

When the blood is stopped by peroxide, you can use furacilin - it will not hurt and will once again flush the cut. The solution is very simple: 2 tablets, crushed to a powder state, are poured with half a glass of boiling water, after thorough mixing with cotton wool, the solution is applied to the damaged surface.

After cleaning the wound, you need to assess the degree of its depth and seriousness. If the cut is not deep and small (no more than 2 cm in width), then it is not necessary to sew it up. Otherwise, do not hesitate to contact the services of a surgeon.

When it is not possible to do this, you can help the poor pet on your own. The main thing is not to be afraid and act calmly.

How to treat a dog's paw, the most vulnerable area of the lesion, or cuts elsewhere:

pull the edges of the cut and the skin as tightly as possible to each other and apply an adhesive plaster, bandage;
with minor bleeding, you can still moisten cotton wool in peroxide, wrap with gauze and press against the cut, bandage tightly on top.

If the injury is not so severe that professional treatment by a veterinarian is necessary, at home it is quite possible to promote its rapid healing.

It is useful to rinse minor damage 2-3 times a day with chlorhexidine: draw the solution into a syringe without a needle and pour in as deeply as possible. Such procedures should be carried out until complete tightening. Remember to apply hydrogen peroxide to the edges of the cut.

How to treat injuries in dogs after first aid? It is optimal to treat large cuts with ointments - healing, anti-inflammatory. It is good to lay deep into the wounds such agents as iruksol, levomekol, streptomycin.

If possible, powder the injured area with powder several times a day.

Change the dressing also 2-3 times a day.

Care must be taken that the dog does not touch or lick the cut, otherwise the regeneration period will be long. A lot of bacteria from the dog's saliva can only aggravate the situation. For these purposes, you can use a special surgical collar.

On the street, your pet will have to wear a dog's boot or a plastic bag sock with footcloths.

During the entire healing period, it is necessary to control the movement of the dog, limiting its activity and avoiding stress on the sore paw.

On average, the wound will heal in 1-3 weeks.

Required materials for dressing

Owners of playful restless pets should have a suitcase with dressing materials ready:

bandages;
cotton wool, cotton swabs;
adhesive plasters;
hydrogen peroxide;
furacilin;
brilliant green;
tourniquet;
boiled water.

How to stop bleeding

The dog may run home bleeding profusely and scare its owners. Sometimes, if the blood is not stopped immediately, the animal dies from its loss.

In fact, there is nothing difficult in this technique. In the case of a wound on the face or legs, a tight bandage is sufficient, because there are no large vessels in these areas.

But when the wound is dangerous and there is a lot of blood, immediately apply a tourniquet. Remember that in warm weather it is applied for 1-2 hours, in cold weather - 3 hours, no more.

Having stopped the blood, an ambulance is already being provided, starting with washing the injury and ending with a bandage.

Treatment of wounds, depending on their complexity

There is a natural and medical gradation of wounds in terms of depth, type, complexity. In any case, the owner of the dog should know how to treat the dog's wound in order to have time to take the pet to the veterinary clinic without letting it bleed out.

Small and superficial wound

The algorithm is simple:

rinse the wound with furacilin, rivanol or hydrogen peroxide;
process the edges with brilliant green;
apply a bandage.

If there are no medicines at hand, you can clean the wound with drinking water, cover it with a plantain leaf and also bandage it with improvised means.

Deep and extensive laceration, but uncontaminated

In this case, it is necessary:

It is necessary to remove the hair around the injury. To do this, generously lubricate it with alcohol, iodine, vodka or gasoline, without touching the wound itself, as this will cause severe pain to the dog. Then trim the hairs to avoid getting them into the wound.
Now you need to put on a tight tight bandage and take the pet to the veterinary surgeon, since you will not be able to eliminate all the consequences on your own.

Deep and extensive laceration, heavily contaminated

Clean the wound by washing with hydrogen peroxide, a solution of furacilin, rivanol or a weak concentration of potassium permanganate. You can use cold boiled water.
Then treat the edges of the wound with iodine, brilliant green or peroxide. Make a bandage
You can put a cotton swab dipped in peroxide and wrapped in a bandage under it.
Show your dog to the vet immediately.

Paw cut

Most often, a wound appears on a dog's paw. Fortunately, the list of necessary steps is pretty easy.

rinse the wound with a disinfectant solution;
process the edges with iodine, peroxide, brilliant green, creolin;
apply a tight bandage with a cotton swab and bandage tightly again;
when going out for a walk, wear a special boot or sock.

Penetrating chest injury

This is a very serious injury to your pet. Symptoms are wheezing breaths and bloody foam that protrudes from the wound and is sucked back in on inhalation.

You need to react quickly and soberly in order to prevent the dog from dying from suffocation.

Algorithm:

quickly treat the edges of the wound with iodine or brilliant green;
grease the wool around in a radius of 5 cm with petroleum jelly;
apply a sealed material to the wound - a plastic bag, film, paper, put cotton on top and bandage;
as an alternative, you can make a tampon from gauze, cotton wool and bandages, moisten it abundantly in a disinfecting solution and cover the wound with it, tie it with several layers of bandages on top;
deliver the pet to the veterinary clinic within 6-8 hours.

Abdominal injury

Such damage is fraught with intestinal prolapse and death. If the intestines do not fall out, proper medical attention will increase the animal's chances of survival. Find a piece of dense tissue and how to disinfect the wound - the usual furacilin is best suited.

What needs to be done:

moisten a clean cloth in a solution of furacilin, rivanol, baking soda and cover the wound with it to prevent the intestines from drying out;
secure with adhesive plaster or medical glue;
do not water or feed the pet! Since, possibly, the organs of the gastrointestinal tract are damaged or perforated;
immediately, no later than 4-6 hours, take to the clinic.

It is impossible to control the movements of our four-legged friends, because they are very playful, inquisitive and active. Whatever happens, it is necessary to maintain sanity and calmness, to act quickly and accurately. It must be remembered that time is precious and, having provided first aid, show the fluffy pet to a specialist. Do not skimp on affection and care, thus contributing to an even faster recovery of the dog.

Video

For general principles of treating wounds in a dog, see our video.

Let's talk about one important circumstance right away. The fact is that ulcerative skin lesions are often confused with a weeping wound. In addition, this term is very often understood as eczema or simple dermatitis. So what are the differences between them?

The fact is that the wound is the result of an extreme mechanical effect, which entailed a violation of the integrity of tissues, from the external environment. Eczema, ulcers and dermatitis in the overwhelming majority of cases arise from the action of negative factors from within the body. There is no mechanical injury.

In the lesions described by us, everything is different - at first there is a small defect in the skin, which is seeded by pathogenic microflora. The body responds to this, inflammation occurs. The wound becomes "wet" because a secret is secreted on its surface, consisting of lymph, plasma, lymphocytes, inflammation factors, etc.

Note that even a normally healing surface can get wet, during the regeneration of which pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora did not enter the wound channel. In this case, the secret that we have already talked about promotes the recovery process and speeds it up. However, it is he who often becomes the cause of complications: the liquid contains many nutrients, and therefore, when microbes that can resist the body's natural defenses enter into it, it turns into an excellent nutrient medium for them.

Overgrowth mechanism

To understand exactly how a weeping lesion is formed and how it threatens, it is necessary to know the basics of those processes that are activated in the body of animals and humans immediately after receiving it. So, the wound channel was formed. Scraps of skin, wool remain in it, pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora, as well as dirt and other debris, get there.

To counter the threat of sepsis, lymphocytes begin to migrate at an accelerated rate to the site of the "breakthrough". To facilitate this process, inflammation factors, histamine, and other "supporting" substances are released into the blood. All of them help to identify targets for T-helpers, which, in turn, greatly facilitates the work of T-killers.

In addition, histamine, which is released in abundance into the blood from destroyed mast cells, dramatically increases the permeability of the vascular walls. This is a natural mechanism that facilitates the release of lymphocytes from the blood into the surrounding tissues. This, by the way, is responsible for the traumatic edema that develops immediately after the injury.

The fact is that pus has a proteolytic effect. Simply put, it dissolves dead tissue and germs. Lysis of the latter is explained by massive "leakage" of enzymes from dead lymphocytes. When all unnecessary things are completely removed from the wound, the process of granulation and further healing begins.

But all of the above refers to the so-called secondary intention healing. If the regeneration process goes according to the primary tension, it does without pus. In this case, granulation begins immediately, which gradually tightens the damage. Of course, this happens only in the case of surgical wounds, when the rules of asepsis and antiseptics were strictly observed during the operation, as a result of which it was possible to avoid the ingress of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora.

Types of wounds

Experts identify several main types of the most common injuries in dogs. Each of them has its own characteristics, which means that for each of them there is a separate list of measures that should be taken by the owner in the first place.

Small shallow wound

Most dog owners have experienced minor superficial injuries in their pets in one way or another. However, even if this is the first for you, do not panic - such damage can be easily and painlessly cured using the following procedures:

First of all, the damaged area of the skin must be thoroughly washed with a disinfectant, for example, ordinary peroxide or a solution of revanol.
After this procedure, the wound site should be smeared with brilliant green or iodine. If you are, for example, in nature, and the necessary funds were not nearby, you can rinse the damaged tissue with simple, but always clean water.
After following the above procedures, the main concern of owners is to prevent the dog from licking the wound. Even despite the fact that salivary fluid is characterized by its antibacterial effect, tongue movements can harm an already damaged dermis or simply eliminate previously applied disinfectants.
In the process of wound healing, the skin should be lubricated with brilliant green at intervals of a day - this will catalyze the healing process.

Torn, deep but clean wound

A set of first aid measures for such an injury includes:

Washing the site of injury with ordinary peroxide or furacilin solution.
Lubrication of the scalp growing around the wound with alcohol or iodine.
After carrying out all the above measures, the animal must be taken to the hospital within the next 10-12 hours.

Large, deep, contaminated laceration

With this type of wound, the owner will need more endurance and composure than with the above, lighter types of damage. If the dog is badly injured and has brought dirt into the wound, you will need to:

Thoroughly rinse the damaged area of the body with peroxide, manganese solution, furacilin or rivanol.
Carefully treat the edges (in no case the center of the wound) with brilliant green or iodine.
Bandage the damaged area with a sterile bandage.
Take the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible (the waiting period should not exceed 6-10 hours from the moment of injury).

Penetrating deep chest wound

This injury is easy enough to recognize - the injured dog emits loud wheezing during inhalation and exhalation, along with this, foam with an admixture of blood is released from the dog's mouth. There is a high probability that the dog can simply die from suffocation. Only cold-blooded and clear actions of its owner can save an animal. To provide first aid in such situations, you must:

Stop the passage of air into the dog's chest.
Treat the edges of the damage with iodine.
Lubricate the hairline with petroleum jelly within a radius of 5-6 cm from the wound.
To bandage the wound, first putting a film or a simple clean plastic bag on the affected area. Even if these materials are not nearby, you can make a so-called gag using an ordinary bandage or even a rag. With a similar roller, you need to close the wound site. In this case, the owners must ensure that the tissue does not fall directly into the chest area.
It is necessary to take the animal to the hospital as soon as possible (maximum 8 hours after the injury). If the timing is ignored, at best, the dog will suffer from serious complications, at worst, death is to be expected.

Abdominal injuries

Despite the fact that the types of injuries described earlier are a serious danger, injuries to the peritoneum threaten the life of the animal to a much greater extent. In general, only dogs that have managed not to damage the stomach and internal organs have a chance of survival. In such cases, owners need to:

The abdominal cavity must be rinsed with a solution of rivanol (furacilin can be an alternative) or simply with clean water.
A sterile bandage should be applied to the intestines.
The wound itself must be treated with syntamycin liniment.
It is necessary to take the dog to the doctor within 6 hours.
Under no circumstances should you give your dog water.

Wounds do not appear on their own. They are applied with some kind of object. It is depending on the nature of the latter that veterinarians subdivide wounds into the following types:

Chipped. This type of damage is formed by contact with a sharp object. Accordingly, the latter freely penetrates into living tissues. Depending on the type of damaging factor, the wound channel has either smooth or rough edges.
Cut. This type is found most often. The most prone area is the paw. The formation of a wound occurs due to the dissection of tissue with sharp objects. In most cases, the damaged area has smooth edges.
Chopped. Quite a serious type of damage. When this type of wound is inflicted, the destruction of deep tissue layers occurs. Often, with chopped injuries, nerve fibers are also damaged. Lymphatic and blood vessels can also be affected.
Bruised. Wounds of this type are formed when struck with a blunt object. The bleeding may be minor. The skin with such an injury is compressed.
Torn. This type of injury is formed when a sharp-pointed object is struck tangentially. Not only the top layer of the skin is involved, but also tendons and blood vessels. Laceration wounds are serious because infection quickly penetrates them.
Firearms. This wound can lead to the death of the animal. The damage is deep, the bleeding is intense.
Bites. Can be obtained by fighting other dogs. With such wounds, there is a high probability of contracting rabies.

It is worth noting that combination wounds can occur in dogs. For example, bruised-torn, stab-bitten, stab-cut, and so on.

Clinical features accompanying wounds in dogs

Typically, wounds in dogs present with bleeding, soreness, and dehiscence. As for the first of the above symptoms, the duration and strength of bleeding directly depend on the characteristics of the vessels of each individual patient, as well as the ability of blood to clot. Painful sensations are manifested due to damage to especially sensitive nerve endings.

In such circumstances, experts call this phenomenon primary pain. Contrary to popular belief, this pain only gets worse as the wound dries out or becomes infected. The gaping, in turn, depends on the direction and size of the wound. It is usually not seen with stab wounds. But if the wound was inflicted perpendicular to the muscles (namely, their fibers), the tissue divergence becomes enormous.

Particularly strong painful sensations in dogs are when the wound is infected, it becomes inflamed or suppuration.

Be sure to monitor the general condition of the dog during treatment. If you notice that there is thirst, depression, convulsions, involuntary twitching of the limbs, fever, then you need to go to the doctor in any case. Or, at your own peril and risk, prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Also dangerous signs: the appearance of a putrid odor, severe swelling around the wound.

It is important to remember that if bitten by a dog, it can contract the rabies virus, which is dangerous for your life. Therefore, if your dog is not vaccinated, it needs to be given the vaccine within 36 hours after the bite, no later.

About diagnostics

Of course, even an inexperienced owner can detect the presence of the wound itself, but even in these cases there are exceptions. So, weeping and painful lesions often appear on the skins of "folded" rocks, like sharpei. If the dog is not well looked after, it will almost certainly happen. They find a wound only when the dog starts to smell bad, and he himself becomes apathetic, refuses to feed.

In addition, in the process of diagnosis, it is extremely important to find out which pathogen caused the inflammatory process. For this purpose, washings and / or scrapings are made from the wound surface, which are subsequently used to grow cultures of microorganisms on nutrient media. The resulting "myceliums" are used to test antibiotics and identify the most effective means in a particular case.

Preparations for the treatment of wounds

The main health hazard is from lacerations in dogs. Usually, such a lesion does not heal quickly, and often has undesirable consequences. The treatment of such a pathology, as a rule, requires operational measures, because without this, pus and tissue particles quickly accumulate in the wound, which are half decomposed, and a purulent wound is already formed in dogs.

It is generally accepted that with this type of injury, one should not worry only when it is insignificant (no more than 2 in length, 1 cm deep). More serious cases always require immediate medical attention. It is especially required when the pet's wound begins to fester. At home, the affected area should be treated with hydrogen peroxide, the hair should be cut off, pus and dirt should be removed. And then the action for the specialists.

In the animal clinic, a drain will be installed to help remove purulent discharge, which is not removed until the wound is completely cleaned and the inflammatory process is stopped. An antibiotic is always used in the form of injections for dogs with purulent wounds. It can be Biomycin, Terramycin, Gramicidin, etc.

Along the way, napkins soaked in a solution that promotes the discharge of exudate are applied to the wounded area. If the wound is serious enough, then it is sutured, but at the same time, treatment is also prescribed. As a rule, antibiotics are used with a wide range of effects, and in higher doses.

It happens that hormonal drugs are also attributed, although in the treatment of complex lesions, when the treatment period is 2-3 weeks, such an appointment is not recommended. But vitamin complexes will be in place here. Indeed, with their help, you can improve metabolism, accelerate the production of leukocytes, and enhance the defenses of the animal's body. Often, tampons with Vishnevsky's balm are applied to such wounds.

In any home first-aid kit for first aid, you should always have Chlorhexidine, Levomekol ointment, Ranosan and another that promotes wound healing, bandages, napkins. If you are taking your pet with you on a long trip or hunting, the necessary medications should be with you. You can always provide the necessary assistance in such unforeseen cases.

Other medications and remedies will be prescribed by the attending veterinarian, based on a specific case. From antiseptics, these can be: Ranosan, Septogel, Ksidikol-spray, Aluminum-spray, Septonex. All of them have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. It is good to use streptocide powder for wound healing.

Complications and risks

We are always talking about this in case of severe defeats, when, as they say, there is a count of minutes. And the life of a pet is determined by how extensive the defeat is and how soon the owner will be able to deliver it to the clinic. This is especially important when a lot of blood has been lost, which usually happens with large wounds. There are almost no blood transfusions in canine clinics due to the lack of blood supplies.

But this, however, is not so scary. Operations, if carried out on time, are mostly successful, the animal recovers in 2-3 weeks (with a period of rehabilitation, the recovery period is extended). It happens that you have to tinker with your pet for six months.

Immediately after stitching, the dog can be taken home (in the clinic it can be left for 2-3 days only in especially severe cases). The owner will need to make a daily inspection of the seam, so as not to lose sight of the first signs of its redness, suppuration, swelling. And it is also important to show the pet to the treating veterinarian at least once every 7 days.

How to treat a weeping wound in a dog? The hair around the lesion is carefully cut and the wound is washed using antiseptic and bactericidal preparations. In addition, the edges are washed with warm soapy water to remove crusts of dried exudate and dirt. It is highly recommended to cover the affected surface with a surgical gel or at least a cotton-gauze bandage during treatment. This is done to further protect the wound channel from contaminated water, hair, and other debris.

In many cases, antibiotics are used. The duration of the therapeutic course is from 7 to 10 days. In addition, many pets will need analgesics and sedatives to relieve pain and itching. Finally, the administration of antihistamines is useful for stopping the latter. In cases where even a light touch causes pain, the area is injected with novocaine or oil-based lidocaine before carrying out any manipulations.

What if the wound was caused by crush injury? In addition, one should not forget about the need for surgical treatment of the wound in order to remove dead and crushed tissue. Of course, in this case, you cannot do without the use of sedatives. The operated area is closed with surgical glue, stitches, or a medical stapler. As in the past, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.

If the wound is infected or an abscess has occurred, then drainage is required to remove pus. It is left until the wound is clean and the inflammatory process has passed.

At the same time, antibiotic drugs are prescribed (biomycin, terramycin, gramicidin, etc.) and compresses with pulling solutions are applied to the wound.

How to calm an animal

If the animal behaves restlessly, then it can be calmed down with medications. Of these, it is advised to give the animal corvalol or valocardin, diluted in sweetened water, from veterinary drugs, Antistress is recommended.

The animal must be placed in a warm place. It is imperative to be monitored and supervised until complete recovery.

After PHO, the seams are processed daily before they are removed. For the entire period of wound healing, it should be closed and inaccessible to the animal to prevent self-injury from the surgical wound and sutures. To do this, he is put on a collar or blanket, covering the damaged area.

Competent, qualified first aid to a dog with wounds and good care of the animal after a wound will save his life and quickly restore his health.

Therapy of difficult, contaminated wounds

When the wound not only gets wet, but is also complicated by the development of pyogenic microflora, there are many dead tissues in it, all operations will almost inevitably require the appointment of general anesthesia. The wound surface is dissected, completely removing all tissues, in the viability of which there are at least some doubts. The surface is then irrigated with antiseptic solutions.

Here it must be remembered that not all weeping wounds formed due to crushing of tissues can be properly sewn. Because of this, they have to be left open for a long time, ensuring the outflow of exudate by draining the wound channel. The type of drainage can vary greatly depending on the severity of the wound and the severity of the pathological process, but usually only bandages soaked in Vishnevsky liniment are dispensed with.

The advantage of such structures is that they can be changed even by the owner of the animal, who has at least minimal skills in medicine or veterinary medicine. As in the past case, the pet is obligatorily prescribed antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action in order to suppress the development of pathogenic and opportunistic microflora.

Antibiotics for animals with purulent wounds

Complications and risks

The course of antibiotic therapy for purulent open wounds should be prescribed by a veterinarian. In complex therapy, four-fingered patients are prescribed orally antibiotics of the penicillin, cephalosporin, tetracycline series, ampicilins, macrolides to prevent infection. Therapeutic therapy for purulent wounds should also be selected taking into account the phases of the course of the wound process.

Antibiotics are selected according to the results of microbiological tests, bacteriological studies aimed at determining the sensitivity of pathogenic flora to certain drug substances. Additionally, in the initial stages of treatment of purulent wounds in dogs, pharmacological pain relievers are used.

For local treatment, a good wound healing effect is noted after the use of antibacterial ointments, gels, and creams. Dogs are prescribed:

Levomikol.
Liniment Syntomycin 5%.
Tetracycline 3% ointment.
Ranosan.
Betadine.
Safroderm gel.
Sangel.
Gentamicin ointment.
Septogel.

The above listed pharmacological agents have a pronounced bactericidal effect, relieve swelling, prevent degenerative-destructive processes in tissues, and accelerate regeneration processes. It is used for the treatment of pustular lesions of soft tissues, furunculosis, purulent abscesses in animals, in the presence of open wounds infected with pyogenic flora.

With a severe nature of the infection, extensive lesions of soft tissues, antibiotics are prescribed to dogs in the form of tablets, injection solutions for intravenous, intramuscular administration. Often, the tissue surrounding the wound is injected with an antibacterial drug. The duration of therapeutic therapy depends on the clinical manifestations, nature, condition of the purulent wound.

In the treatment of purulent wounds in dogs, the following are used:

Cephalexin.
Cefuroxime.
Amoxiclav.
Kanamycin.
Oxacillin.
Betamox.
Doxycillin.
Amuril.
Tetracycline.
Erythromycin.
Enroxil.
Neomycin.
Metacyclin.
Cefapim.
Gentamicin.

Penicillin antibiotics (amoxiclav, penicillin) negatively affect almost all types of pyogenic flora. Cephalosporins kill gram-negative bacterial flora, act on E. coli.

Macrolides, carbapenems (imipinem, meronem) act well on streptostaphylococci. Kanamycins prevent the development of gram-positive, gram-negative pathogenic pyogenic microflora. It is used to treat purulent-septic diseases, including extensive purulent wounds in dogs. Kanamycin is often administered to animals postoperatively to prevent infection of postoperative wounds.

Most modern antibacterial drugs have a broad, combined effect. The active components of drugs are effective against several types of pyogenic bacteria and microorganisms. They quickly eliminate traumatic processes of any genesis, etiology, promote rapid healing of wounds.

Since there are no specially designed antibacterial drugs on sale yet, human antibiotics are used for treatment in traditional medicine, but only in different dosages.

First aid for cuts in paws

When a dog is injured, it requires certain measures on the part of its owner:

First, treat the wound with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, furacilin or chlorhexidine. In the absence of these funds in the home medicine cabinet, you can use clean running water.
Shave or trim the hairs around the wound.
Lubricate the area around the wound well with iodine or Monclavit-1 (a modern drug for disinfection, created on the basis of iodine).
Try to stop bleeding with a homeostatic dressing and tight bandaging.

After these actions, it is desirable without the slightest delay, even with a seemingly trifling wound, it is necessary to show the animal to the veterinarian. After all, poor-quality processing or improper actions of the owner of a four-legged pet can lead to various complications. And with bleeding, any delay can even cost his life.

Faced with a similar situation before the arrival of the veterinarian, travel with the pet to the veterinary clinic, it is very important to prevent infection, to prevent the development of the inflammatory process. If the lesion is rather extensive and contaminated, first of all, wash the lesion with plenty of warm water and laundry soap.

In the next step, use sterile tweezers to remove foreign particles that have entered the wound. Use sterile scissors to trim the hair around the affected area. Treat the skin around the purulent wound with brilliant green, alcohol tincture of iodine, using disposable gauze-cotton pads. A short novocaine-antibiotic block is made. Partial excision of the dead tissue may be required, followed by drainage of the wound. Carried out in a veterinary clinic.

For washing wounds, you can use any aseptic means: a weakly concentrated 3% solution of potassium permanganate, furacilin, chlorhexidine, tincture of propolis, calendula, a decoction of plantain, and other medicinal plants.

Important! If the wound was sutured, the seams are treated daily with disinfectant solutions for five to seven days.

Wound healing preparations are applied to a clean wound (solcoseryl, actovigin, vinylin, Levomikol). In severe advanced cases, to prevent the development of infection or if the wound is already infected, local bactericidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (ointments, creams, pharmacy talkers), complex antibacterial agents are mandatory. After treatment, the wound is closed with a sterile bactericidal plaster, a bandage is applied.

First of all, do not panic and examine the dog's paws. If she cuts the pad shallowly, the wound can be cleaned up on her own without going to the veterinarian for help. However, there are some nuances that you should be aware of in order to avoid unwanted consequences.

The first step is to cut the dog's hair on the injured area (this is especially true for representatives of long-haired breeds) so that it does not get into the wound and thereby provoke an inflammatory process. Then the cut is thoroughly rinsed under clean running water to remove hairs, dirt and foreign objects - earth, glass and other debris.

The second step will be to treat the injured pad with an antiseptic solution, which is used as:

hydrogen peroxide;

chlorhexidine;

a weak solution of potassium permanganate;

furacilin solution.

For convenience, you can use a disposable syringe filled with disinfectant.

After treatment, the area around the wound on the dog's paws should be anointed with iodine to relieve swelling. Neither iodine nor brilliant green should be poured into the wound itself, as this can cause a burn of muscle tissue, due to which the cut will take longer to heal.

Next, you should soak the gauze with the antibacterial ointment Levosin, Levomekol or Vishnevsky's ointment and apply it to the pad on the paw (these drugs can also be applied directly to the wound). The dressing is carried out every 1-2 days (depending on the condition of the injury). For additional protection, you can put on a baby sock or even an umbrella cover on your sore paw.

In order for the injured pad on the paw to heal faster, after a few days the use of Actovegin and Solcoseryl is shown - agents that promote tissue regeneration and tighten wounds.

The most common mistake that inexperienced dog breeders make when a dog cuts a paw badly is putting a tourniquet over the wound. Not all wearers know how to do this correctly, so the result of incorrect actions can be increased bleeding, while a regular bandage will stop the blood within 15 minutes.

If the dog has cut the pad on its paws, in no case should the open wound be treated with its own urine or bulk medications, such as Streptocid, should not be applied to it. You should abandon such funds, as they burn muscle tissue, especially if the wounds are deep. This leads to the formation of abscesses, which aggravates the course of the disease, and cuts heal much more slowly. In addition, the blood turns into a caked crust, which also worsens the patient's condition and gives him discomfort.

In the course of treatment, care must be taken that the dog does not have the opportunity to lick the wounds on the pads. It is believed that saliva has a healing effect, but this is a misconception. The tongue of the animal contains a mass of bacteria and microorganisms, which, falling into the cut site, can lead to serious inflammation.

Signs of a wound include pain, bleeding, and rupture of skin and tissues. The algorithm of action of the primary surgical treatment (PST) of the wound must be observed. Further healing and restoration of the integrity of the animal's tissues depends on how correctly and in a timely manner it will be carried out.