Can I use topical pain medicine on my dog's wound if she licks it?

Please clean and flush the wounds with warm water to prevent infection. Put pressure on them if they are bleeding. You can use aspirin for pain. There is a section on this website that has information and dosages for common over the counter medications. You may need a cone so she doesn’t lick the wounds. I do recommend a veterinary exam and treatment if you are able to find care. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Bo.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Often the lesions are irritating, and usually not very painful. Continued licking will not only make the lesion worse, but prevent any chance of healing. It is important to stop the licking to allow it to heal. The best way to do that is with an E-collar. I suggest getting an E-collar from the pet store or your vet. If he is very painful you can talk to your vet about pain medications. Anything topical will likely just add more moisture and make the problem worse. Best of luck with Gucci.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sometimes, rest and some topical antiseptic such as Vetericyn wound spray are enough for minor wounds on the paw pads to heal. Vetericyn is available at most Petco locations and on Petco.com, so just apply as labeled topically; it is not harmful if small amounts are swallowed were she to lick it off of the area, though Alivas may need an Elizabethan collar to prevent her from licking the wound to allow it to heal. If the pain persists or the wound continues draining for longer than 1-2 more days, I would recommend having her seen by your Veterinarian, sooner if either her pain or the drainage worsen. Keep her activity level down until healed, especially off of rocks and other rough/sharp surfaces. I hope this helps!

I don't recommend it. Although quite safe on superficial wounds, dogs lick and ingest most of the topical ointment you apply and therefore should be used only under direct veterinary supervision and if there are no other appropriate options. Many human ointments contain multiple other ingredients which are not necessarily safe to be swallowed.

Based on the injuries you are describing I would be concerned that Flick was hit by a car while he was loose. I would recommend taking him to the vet to have his injuries examined. He will likely need pain medication as well as some antibiotics to help his wounds heal. A lidocaine wound spray is ok for short term use as long as Flick doesn’t lick it off. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Kona. Poor girl. I would gently clean her wound 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!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is unfortunately nothing you can give for pain that is over the counter. What you can do though that may help prevent further injury and pain is to keep her as quiet as possible and to try to keep her from licking at it until the appointment as that in itself can help with pain. Other than that, your veterinarian will do the rest tomorrow. Have a good night! Hoping for a speedy recovery!