My pet has a mouth cut. What can I buy at Petco to prevent infection?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Superficial wounds around the face are usually treated with topical antibiotics (creams or ointments) or antibiotics tablets. Larger wounds need to be stitched up, but if the would you found is not fresh, most likely your vet would not want to stitch it up. Please, clean the would twice a day with 4% chlorhexidine solution (you can buy it at pharmacies) for a few days and it will hopefully heal up. However, if it starts to bother Aimee or becomes painful you will have to take her to your nearest vets possibly to get a course of antibiotics.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If at all possible I recommend a vet visit to see if this wound could be closed. Suturing it closed may allow much faster healing than leaving it open. Otherwise be sure to keep it clean and dry. You can use an antiseptic like betadine or chlorhexidine once to clean it. Be sure to dilute cleaner then rinse well. Use just today or if the wound gets extremely dirty. Using daily can actually slow healing. Keep the area clean and dry. I recommend Ares stay primarily indoors until it is closed as he could get a maggot infestation of flies lay eggs on the wound. Using hydrotherapy or gentle water from a hose is a good way to keep it clean. If there is swelling, discharge or pain, Ares needs to see a vet for medications. I hope he heals quickly.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Stormy! I would shave the fur away from the wound then clean it well with water and a mild soap (avoid hydrogen peroxide). Then apply triple antibiotic ointment twice daily. The most important thing is to have Stormy wear and E-collar to prevent licking and keep him indoors. He should see a Vet as soon as possible to at a minimum get antibiotics but to also see if surgery is required to close the wound. I would call your local SPCA to see if they offer a low cost Veterinary clinic. I hope this helps and I wish Stormy a speedy recovery!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the pictures, it does not appear to be a major wound, just a superficial wound. For cleansing the wound, you can use a diluted solution of Betadine and Saline mixed together until you have a light brown solution. Use this to clean the area and to help decontaminate the wound. If the wound begins to develop signs of infection such as pus, swelling, etc., I would recommend having Slinky examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please remember to rate this answer as helpful or not. Thank you!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. A topical antibiotic ointment would help this, bit if you are limited with what you can find I would start by keeping the wounds clean with a diluted Betadine solution (Betadine diluted in water or saline to a light brown color) and keep wounds clean 3 times per day to help prevent infection. If the infection is too deep in the tissues, it is likely that Macana will need oral antibiotics. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the photo you provided, it appears as though Stitch has an abrasion that may be secondarily infected. It does not look very deep based on the photo. If you are unable to get to a veterinarian to have this looked at right away, you can use a diluted solution of betadine and saline (mixed together until you have a light brown liquid) and use this to clean the abrasion of any contaminants. Once clean, you can then use a topical cream such as Sentry Topical Wound cream (applied to the area twice daily until resolved) found at your local Petco. I would also recommend that you use a plastic cone around his head to help prevent him from rubbing his head, which would further worsen the area. If this does not improve or it worsens, I would then recommend having a veterinarian examine Stitch so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns ad I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! So far it sounds like you have done everything right. If the wounds are not deep and just look like abrasions, then you can continue to clean them 1-2 times daily with a mild soap and water. Be sure to thoroughly dry them after so they heal faster. You can also apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment, like Neosporine twice daily. I would also advise the ecollar to prevent further trauma. As long as the area is not getting larger and is drying up then you do not need to see the vet. If the wounds are deep, you notice an odor, the area is getting larger in size, or there is drainage then I would take Bruce to the vet. Also, if Bruce is scratching elsewhere, I would take him to a vet to find out why he is scratching enough to cause abrasions/wounds. You will be treating the skin infection but not the underlying cause of it. Good luck and kisses to Bruce!