My dog was bitten by a stray. What first aid should I do now?

Ideally, he should be seen by your veterinarian. Potential infection and pain are concerns that should be addressed by a vet. A rabies booster may also be considered. If a vet visit is not possible right now, place an e-collar (cone) on Simon to prevent rubbing or pawing. Keep the wound clean with a diluted Betadine or Hibiclens solution, being careful to not get any in his mouth. Monitor for redness, swelling, active bleeding, discharge, fever or loss of appetite. This are all symptoms that require veterinary attention. Unfortunately, there are no completely safe OTC products that can be given for pain. Many or toxic to dogs or easily overdosed.

I am so sorry that Misty girl got into a fight. It sounds like the wound is large enough that it likely needs stitches and likely isn't too late. I would strongly recommend contacting your vet for an exam and treatment. If it is small enough, they may be able to place staples and help it heal. But she will likely also need oral antibiotics to help it heal as wounds from other dogs usually get infected because dogs have a lot of nasty bacteria in their mouths. Until you can get her to the vet, I would also recommend that you keep her from licking or scratching it. You can use a small t-shirt (depending on its location) or an e-collar (the lampshade collars found at a pet store). I hope she starts feeling better soon!

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths (twice or three times daily). Always handle this type of wound with gloves when you touch it and wash carefully your hands. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

If they are play fighting a lot, then you may have to keep them separated until the wound can heal. 1. Clip the hair away from the wound using buzzing-type clippers, not scissors or a razor. This is so you can monitor the wound and keep the hair out of the way to help with healing. 2. Disinfect the wound once with peroxide or a first aid chlorhexidine wound soap. Do not continue to use peroxide, or alcohol, as this will delay healing. 3. Apply an antibacterial ointment, such as Neosporin, twice daily. If needed to clean the wound, use a warm wet wash cloth to gently wipe away any dried fluid. 4. Prevent all licking or scratching of the wound by using an e-collar or dog booties or socks. 5. See a vet if your pet experiences prolonged lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rectal temperature over 103, or if there is creamy discharge or discharge with a foul odor, or there is swelling around the wound.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Takoda! I would try to shave all the fur away from the area and check closely for other wounds. Then clean the skin with water and a mild soap. Avoid hydrogen peroxide as it can damage the skin. Then apply a triple antibiotic ointment twice daily. If there is a large full thickness gash or puncture it is best to have Takoda seen by a Vet to see if surgery is warranted or oral antibiotics. I hope this helps and I wish Takoda the best!

First, consider seeking veterinary care since wounds can often be deeper than they appear and can get easily infected. 1. Clip the hair away from the wound using buzzing-type clippers, not scissors or a razor. This is so you can monitor the wound and keep the hair out of the way to help with healing and keeping it clean. 2. Disinfect the wound once with peroxide or a first aid chlorhexidine wound soap. Do not continue to use peroxide, or alcohol, as this will delay healing. 3. Apply an antibacterial ointment, such as Neosporin, twice daily. If needed to clean the wound, use a warm wet wash cloth to gently wipe away and dried fluid. 4. Prevent all licking or scratching of the wound by using an e-collar. Licking will delay healing and spread bacteria into the wound 5. See a vet if Leo experiences prolonged lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rectal temperature over 102.5, or if there is creamy discharge or discharge with a foul odor, or there is swelling around the wound.

Ideally they appear they can benefit from stitches but it may be too late for that. It does need to be seen for antibiotics at the least because an infection can take longer to heal. If you can shave the hair around the cuts it will be easier to keep clean. You can apply neosporin to the cuts to help with an infection and get an e collar from the pet store so she can't keep licking her foot and making that one worse.