Dog fight: My dog has nose and lip puncture wounds. What to do?

Poor Gracie! Depending on the size and depth of the wound, it may need to be stitched shut. She will also need antibiotics to prevent infection. In this case, I think it's best that she is seen by a vet right away. The vet can stitch the wound if needed, can check her for any internal damage from the bite, and can prescribe antibiotics as needed. I recommend taking her into a vet now. Best of luck.

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Looking at the picture, I would not recommend liquid bandage for the wound. Covering up wounds like this often encourages them to become infected by trapping the bacteria. I would allow this to be stay open and gently clean the area 1-2 times per day with a warm washcloth. If it becomes swollen, painful, or oozy, it may be a sign of infection and time to go to the vet for antibiotics. I would recommend waiting to get him groomed and washed until the wound is healed. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I highly recommend that you have both of your pups evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. These wounds can get infected very easily. Also, it is crucial to check if any of these wounds need further local therapy such as stitches. Your veterinarian could also start pain medications as usually lacerations like that are painful. Good luck and have a good day!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Indy. Poor girl, it looks like there is a wound or two. I would gently clean the wounds with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep her from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on her. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. 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 she will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. I hope this helps!

Hi there, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. That appears to be full thickness through the skin, and would likely benefit from sutures. Additionally, bite wounds have a very high likelihood of becoming infected without systemic (oral) antibiotics, so Hazel should be seen by the vet to get started on antibiotics. Hope this helps.

Those do look pretty ouchie, especially the right wound. If the bleeding has stopped, I would keep the area clean and dry and place an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Harlow to keep her from rubbing or pawing at it which may cause it to bleed again. If the wound still looks deep and inflamed, has gotten larger, or begins to look infected (swelling, hot to the touch, oozing debris, extremely painful) then it is best to call your vet in the AM to be seen.

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.