My dog has a puncture wound. What's the best care: shave, salve, or surgery?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You should clean the wound twice daily with cotton buds and ideally 4% chlorxhexidine or iodine solution (available over the counter at pharmacies). If you are not able to get these antiseptic products, you should use just boiled, warm water. Also, please make sure that Ponyo is not licking or scratching the wound. Putting a head cone may be necessary. Dressing wounds in dogs is often cumbersome. If the puncture is on the chest or the abdomen you can put a small t-shirt on Ponyo to cover it up..

I am so sorry to hear that Felicia had this wound on her leg. I am sure it is very unsettling for you both. From the pictures you have provided it looks as though the wound may be deeper than appears, and thus may require a trip to the veterinarian. The wound appears to have been caused by a puncture, such as a bite, or perhaps if Felicia got caught In a Fence. These types of puncture wounds are often deeper and have caused more tissue damage then can be visualised from the surface. I bet would start by examining Felicia, and the wound itself. The wound would be cleaned and disenfected, the vet may need to sedate Felicia to debris even the wound, if necrotic or unhealthy tissue is present. The vet may chose to surgically close the wound with sutures or leave it open to drain and heal wiith scar tissue. The vet may also prescribe pain relief, anti-inflammatory medictaions and antibiotics to treat a possible infection, or prevent one. I would advise the seeing the vet within the next 24 hours. In the meantime you can continue keep Felicia as calm and rested as possible, and do not use any over the counter medications without the direct advice from your vet. I hope that this answer was helpful, and more importantly that Felicia feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

Poor pup! If the wound isn't healing, it's likely that it is infected and will need prescription antibiotics to treat it effective. Because of this, I would recommend taking your dog to the vet tomorrow morning for an exam - he/she can take a look at the wound and determine what is needed to treat it. In the meantime, if you're able to gently clip the hair and matted discharge from over the wound, this should be fine to do. You can also gently clean the area with some warm water and antibacterial soap. I would not recommend using peroxide, as this may sting and often causes additional tissue damage and irritation which can make healing more difficult.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Rey. This looks like a puncture wound to me, and it looks a bit weepy which makes me worried about infection. I'm wondering if the vet gave her any antibiotics; if not, I think she needs some. Anxiety is rough in dogs, and one important thing to do is not comfort her. You think you are doing good, but you are actually telling her the behavior is ok and reinforcing it. I'd try a Sentry calming collar on her to see if that helps, and have her seen by a vet again. Medication may helpful for her as well, which the vet can prescribe. I hope this helps.

Ouch! Poor Bones! I would try to clean it with a mild soap and water. I would put a cone collar on him to prevent him from licking it and put some Neosporin in the wound twice a day. Your vet will be able to shave the hair and close the wound with sutures or skin staples if needed. They will also be able to prescribe him the proper antibiotics and pain meds. I do not recommend giving him any human pain meds as most are toxic to dogs. I hope this helps!

Ouch, poor June! It's not a very big wound, so it doesn't appear it needs stitches to close. You can try this wound care on her, and keep an eye on it. Should it become red, swollen, warm to the touch, or there's pus, it's infected and she will need to see the vet. You may have to put an Ecollar on her to keep her from licking at it, and I will put a link below on how to make one at home. Best of luck, I hope this helps! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

If the wound is deep, ideally, your dog should be physically examined by a veterinarian. Sutures (stitches) may be needed to close the cut. If it is superficial, you may be able to manage it at home. I suggest carefully trimming (use clippers, not scissors) the hair away and cleaning the area gently with a diluted Betadine, chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) or similar [antibacterial solution](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-wound-and-skin-care-for-dogs). Dry thoroughly afterwards. A dab of a triple antibiotic ointment can be applied to a minor wound. Place an [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar) (cone) on your dog to prevent licking. If the wound shows no signs of healing after a few days, consider an exam with your veterinarian. Monitor for lethargy,[ fever](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-signs-your-pet-has-a-fever), [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/vomiting-1/), [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/diarrhea-1/) or loss of appetite. Check the wound daily for redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge. These are all symptoms that warrant a visit to the veterinary clinic. In the future, it is always best and safest to have an [experienced groomer](https://www.petcoach.co/article/heres-why-you-need-a-professional-groomer) or your veterinarian remove any burs or matting from your dog.