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Dog fight injury: Puncture wound. Can I treat it without a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 1 year and 7 months old | 35 lbs

My dogs (Boozie, a border collie mix, and Luna, a boxer mix) got into a scrap. Boozie was fine but her tooth went right through Luna's skin and I can't tell how deep the puncture is. I really can't afford to take her to the vet unless I absolutely have to. I cleaned out the wound with diluted apple cider vinegar, and she's acting fine; is she okay? (the pictures uploaded upside down, but it's right in front of her ear.)

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 22nd, 2018

That is a pretty deep wound that should be seen by a vet, If you cannot afford to go to a vet , do not use apple cider vinegar again as it may damage more tissue, Leave the wound alone and let it scab over and heal by itself. If there happens to be a large swelling or if you start to see pus coming from the wound , you will need to take her to a vet, Here is some information re financial help:
There are quite a few ways to get financial help with vet bills: https://www.youcaring.com/blog/2016/need-help-with-vet-bills
https://www.avma.org/public/YourVet/Pages/Financial-assistance-for-veterinary-care-costs.aspx
https://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets
https://www.paws.org/cats-and-dogs/other-services/help-with-veterinary-bills/
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html?credit=web_id98635957

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 26th, 2018
It would help to know if you are talking about a cat, dog, squirrel, etc. as each species is to be treated differently. You can shave the hair around the wounds, clean up the wounds with wound cleanser available from a pharmacy or H2O2 (only once with H2O2 in order to remove debris and dirt. do not use it more than once as it can hinder healing). She will likely need antibiotics, so maybe you can find some money to take her to a vet.

There are quite a few ways to get financial help with vet bills: https://www.youcaring.com/blog/2016/need-help-with-vet-bills
https://www.avma.org/public/YourVet/Pages/Financial-assistance-for-veterinary-care-costs.aspx
https://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets
https://www.paws.org/cats-and-dogs/other-services/help-with-veterinary-bills/
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html?credit=web_id98635957
American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/
"Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or
injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing
financial hardship."
Angels 4 Animals
http://www.angels4animals.org/
"Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment
to those pets and pet owners in need."
Care Credit
http://www.carecredit.com/
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.
"With a comprehensive range of plan options, for
treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan
and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every
budget."
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)
http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/
"Seniors, People with disabilities, People who
have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these
folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion."
The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501
(c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and
kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save
their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
God's Creatures Ministry
http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html
"This fund helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help."
Help-A-Pet
http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the
working poor."
IMOM
http://www.imom.org/
"We are dedicated to insure that no
companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker
is financially challenged."
The Pet Fund
http://thepetfund.com/
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that
provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need
urgent veterinary care."
United Animal Nations
http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html
"The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued
animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require
specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve
Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured
animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens
and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."

Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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