Treating your pet’s wounds
CATS and dogs often suffer minor injuries, some of which can be treated at home. Here’s what to do and how to know when you should take them to a vet.
SUPERFICIAL CUTS
Flush the wound using fresh water, a mild saline solution (salt has anti-bacterial properties) or a mild solution of Hibitane, available from most vets.
“Don’t use antiseptics or any human medications on your pet,” advises Cape Town-based veterinarian Dr Bronwyn Leverton. “Some of the over-the-counter medications you think may be safe – paracetamol and Dettol for example – can be toxic to your pet.” Most superficial wounds don’t need ointment and can be left open to heal.
“It’s fine if your dog or cat licks their wound,” Leverton says. “It’s their natural instinct and their saliva has antibacterial properties. They just mustn’t lick excessively.”
Superficial wounds don’t usually need antibiotics but, if you’re unsure, take your pet to the vet for an exam, she advises.
In the case of bleeding, apply pressure to the area for three to five minutes. If the bleeding continues, see a vet as the wound may need stitches. “Heads and paws tend to bleed a lot but they usually look a lot worse than they are,” she says. Injuries from rusty nails don’t require a tetanus shot. “[Vets] don’t vaccinate against this. Dogs and cats are far more resistant to it than people are.”
Rather don’t . . . Flush any wounds over the chest or abdomen – these should preferably be checked by a vet. Bandage or place a tourniquet over a wound. “More often than not bandages or tourniquets applied at home do more damage than good,” Leverton says. “They can be wrapped too tightly or may be keeping infection in a wound that should be left open. If you think it needs a bandage of some sort, see a vet.”
BITE WOUNDS
These can be deceiving, Leverton warns. “The wound may look minor but bacterial infection can set in on a deeper level from what we call an ‘infection injection’, caused by the dirty teeth of the other dog.” Bite wounds can also cause crush injuries. “These can be invisible to the eye as there may not be any break in the skin, but they can be serious and painful, so it’s best to check with your vet.”
SPRAINS AND FRACTURES
There’s no home test for a sprain – a vet examination is needed to see whether it’s a simple sprain or major ligament damage, as they present similarly.
Generally an animal with a fracture won’t put any weight on the affected limb, Leverton says.
“It’s best to get your pet X-rayed to see if there’s a fracture or whether the injury is soft tissue related.”