Cuts, scrapes, sores and abrasions in dogs

Overview

Dogs are explorers. They love to follow their noses and get into trouble. They also enjoy playing rough with other dogs. Whatever breed you own, your dog will probably get a few cuts and scrapes over the years. Minor wounds are often difficult to find because they are hidden under the fur or between toes.

Symptoms

Cuts or bites:

• Bleeding
• Torn skin
• Swelling
• Fur matted with blood around the injury
• Pain
• Discharge

Abrasions and sores:

• Red, irritated skin
• Bruising
• Scuffed skin with imbedded dirt or gravel
• Excessive licking and chewing around the affected area
• Pain

Prevention

Dog-proof your house and yard just like you would to keep small children safe. Secure your wastebaskets so a curious dog doesn't go exploring and get cut by broken glass or metal cans. Keep him in your yard and don't allow him to roam the neighborhood where he might get hit by a car, step on glass, or get into a fight.

Groom your dog and go over his entire body regularly so you will find minor injuries before they turn serious.

Treatment

You can treat small cuts and scrapes at home. As a general rule, if the cut is smaller than a half inch you shouldn't need to seek professional help. The exception is bites or other puncture wounds, because they can be small in diameter but deep.

By following this step-by-step treatment plan, you should begin to see improvement in a couple of days:

Cleaning the wound

Clip the fur around the wound. Use electric clippers, if you have them and take care to prevent hair from getting into the wound.

Thoroughly flush out the wound with warm salty water (add 1 teaspoon of salt to two cups of water) or a balanced saline solution. If you're unable to prepare the salt water solution, warm water is fine. Just be sure to remove all dirt and debris from the cut or scrape. You may need to use tweezers to remove larger pieces. It won't heal if you don't get everything out.

Medication

Apply a topical antibiotic cream per the directions on the label. Keep the injury clean and reapply antibiotic cream several times a day. Your dog may need to wear an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) to keep him from licking or scratching while the area heals.

When to see the vet

If your dog has a wound that you are uncomfortable cleaning or if you feel like your dog might bite or injure you, seek help from your veterinarian. 

You should also seek veterinary help if the wound becomes larger or doesn't show signs of healing after several days. Watch for signs of infection like swelling, pain, pus, and continued redness. If the cut closes up with debris like fur, dirt, or bacteria under the surface, it could abscess and make your dog seriously ill.

When assessing the condition of your pet's injury, it's okay to be overly cautious. If you notice heavy bleeding or a very deep cut, apply direct pressure to the area and head straight for the vet. Excessive handling of the animal or manipulation of the wound can cause further injury, so keep the dog as stable and still as possible.

Always take your dog to a veterinarian immediately if he has been hit by a car.  Dogs may have hernias, broken bones, or other serious complications that can be caused by being hit by a car. 

Bites

A bite from another animal, whether they were playing or fighting, is always serious and usually requires a deep cleaning and antibiotics from a veterinarian to prevent a serious infection. Bites from wild animals carry the risk of rabies. Even the smallest bite wound should be seen by your veterinarian.  If you are concerned that your dog has been bitten by a rapid animal, consult your local animal control for assistance in handling your dog so that you don't get bit.