The dog cut its paw. What to do?

The winter of 2013 turned out to be very snowy, beautiful and noble. Throughout the winter, our pets frolicked on the soft, clean snow in the city clearing, and we did not fear for their health. With the advent of spring, our clearing has turned into a dangerous area for walking dogs. The bare ground, which had not yet had time to be covered with tall grass, showed us all the danger of the territory. In places there was a lot of glass, broken bottles, as well as sharp pieces of wooden boards, broken plastic and metal bars.

Soon the glade will be covered with young tall grass, will again acquire an innocent clean appearance, and no one will remember about dangerous garbage. At least until someone gets hurt.

Daily walking of a pet is a common thing for dog owners. And it is unlikely that someone will comb the territory before each walk to clear dangerous objects. But, you definitely need to be aware of the first aid plan, if suddenly the dog cuts its paw on broken glass or other sharp objects.

In the event that a cut occurs, you will immediately understand this by the presence of blood on the paw, perhaps the dog will come running to complain to you. The cut should be treated first.

Capillary bleeding

If you see a shallow incision (up to 2-4 mm) from which blood is released in droplets, it will be enough to wash the wound with solutions of potassium permanganate or furacilin. Then you should blot the wound dry with a swab, lubricate with iodine (solution) and apply a bandage from a bandage.

To keep the damaged paw and the bandage clean, you can put a sock on top, or wrap the paw in cellophane, securing it with adhesive tape (not tight).

1. wash the wound;
2. blot dry with a swab;
3. lubricate with iodine solution;
4. apply a bandage;
5. wear a sock on top.

Damage to a vein or artery

1. If it bleeds in a trickle or pulsating fountain, then you are dealing with damage to an artery or vein. This is more dangerous and more serious than capillary bleeding. You should call your veterinarian immediately and apply a tight bandage above the wound (if an artery is damaged) or below the wound (if a vein is cut). This will compress an artery or vein and stop blood loss.

2. In the event that you were unable to stop the bleeding with a tight bandage, make a cotton-gauze swab and bandage it tightly to the wound. This will compress the ends of the damaged vessel and prevent blood loss until the veterinarian arrives or the dog is taken to the clinic, where he will be stitched and treated.

1. call a veterinarian;
2. Tightly bandage a vein (below the wound) or an artery (above the wound);
3. apply to the wound and tightly bandage a cotton-gauze swab;
4. take the dog to the clinic.

Attention: If the dog cuts its paw or has other injuries, do not treat fresh wounds with hydrogen peroxide. This remedy causes difficulty in healing and burns. Hydrogen peroxide cannot stop bleeding. It is intended for the treatment of purulent wounds. It is good to clean wounds from pus and dead tissue.

Be careful with your pet, I wish you not to get into bad situations. And do not forget that in addition to broken glass, hungry ticks lie in wait for your dog in the spring. Find out what to do if dog bitten by a tick And what is piroplasmosis.