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Dog fight wound bleeding, no vet. How to treat at home safely?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 50 lbs

Hi presley here my dogs got into a fight and give one has lost a bit of blood and i doubt have any money for vet cost.I've been giving her Motrin and trying to keep her wrapped to stop the bleedingthis happened on the 22 please help i don't want my dog to die i love her so much

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Makenzie Kurth, DVM

Answered By Makenzie Kurth, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 23rd, 2018

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.

Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 27th, 2018

    I would have to examine this wound in-person to tell the extent, but it does appear like a deep wound that should be treated by a veterinarian. Bite wounds tend to develop infections very quickly and can have severe consequences if not treated appropriately.

    For now, I recommend flushing the wound using a syringe or other dispensing device with warm water for five minutes. This may not be easy, because dogs tend to hate this, so I recommend having someone help you with holding Wolfy to make sure the wound gets flushed well.

    Infection is the biggest concern with these wounds; so after flushing, it's best to apply an antibacterial cream to the wound. In order to keep the wound clean, it's best to flush the wound two times a day and gently wipe away any big crusts - make sure not to scrub the wound, because this can make it worse. Apply the antibacterial cream after each flushing. I recommend taking him to the vet within the next 24 hours for treatment.

    I hope that helps and Wolfy gets better soon.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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