Dogs fought, bite wounds. Can't afford vet, what home care can I give?

Thanks for using PetCoach. Unfortunately, without an exam (or at least pictures), I'm a bit limited on what advice I can give. Where the wound is would be important to know. I am less concerned about a bite to the leg than I am to the belly or neck. How deep is it? How is Della Reese feeling? Is she eating and running around or lethargic and not eating? My concerns and recommendations -Infection - very common in dog bite wounds - if there is a hole or deep wound anywhere, it needs to be flushed very thoroughly with dilute iodine or hydrogen peroxide. This is possibly the MOST important step. The wounds need to be left OPEN to drain. If you cover them up tightly you will be trapping the bacteria inside and cause an abscess. They will drain some blood-tinged fluid for a few days but it shouldn't be pure blood. If the mess is a problem, put a t-shirt on her (if wounds are on the torso) or keep her on tile/laminate surfaces. Warm compress the wounds twice daily to encourage that fluid to come out the wound holes. Honestly, depending on the severity and location, she really needs antibiotics. Even if you can only get into the vet for the exam and antibiotics, its worth doing. - Blood loss- as noted above, you're more-likely seeing blood-tinged discharge stuff than actual pure blood. Even if there was pure blood at first, she is big enough that she could safely loose a cup of blood or more. - Pain medication - motrin (ibuprofen) is an unsafe drug choice for dogs and is not recommended. If she has only had one dose, stop and switch her to aspirin 24 hours after the first dose. If she has had more than one dose, stop and start aspirin 72 hours from the last dose of motrin. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/aspirin/ Also don't forget ice!! Ice has incredible anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Ice up the wounded area(s) for 5-10 minutes as often as you can (up to every 3-4 hours). If it's time to warm compress, do that first and then ice. I hope this has at least given you a place to start. Best of luck to you and Della Reese.

I am sorry to hear about your dog! I would recommend bringing him in to his vet to examine the wound if it is not improving. It probably needs to be shaved and cleaned (I cannot see the actual wound in the photo so assume it is covered in fur and the wet area on the cheek). Often bites are puncture wounds and are deep and sometimes do require antibiotics to treat infection.

No, do not use mouthwash. I would gently clean Tyson's wounds with warm water and antiseptic soap. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and he will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it.

It would heal better and faster with stitches. If you cannot afford to have that done then just keep it clean with this wound spray linked below. DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide on it - that will actually delay healing. If after a week it is not looking better or if it gets red, swollen, has pus coming from it then you will need to get him to the vet. If he is licking it, it will not heal so you will need to get him a cone collar to wear. ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-wound-and-skin-care-for-dogs ) ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar )

Ideally, Miko should be examined by your veterinarian. He may not be painful now, but tomorrow he may be. The wound should be cleaned and flushed. Antibiotics and pain management may both be indicated. Monitor for bleeding, discharge, swelling, redness, odor, lethargy or lameness.

I recommend cleaning all of the wounds with hydrogen peroxide. Then apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on them. Keep him quiet so he can rest and heal. Dog fight wounds get infected easily so please make sure to bring him right in tomorrow morning for treatment. If needed they can close the small laceration and get him on oral antibiotics to prevent infection. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Dexter.

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.