If your dog has a small wound, cut or abrasion, Bacitracin is an ointment that is proven safe to use to keep the wound from becoming infected and can help it heal more quickly.
Many people assume that hydrogen peroxide is the proper wound care solution because they most often use it on themselves to help clean and disinfect a cut, however this is absolutely not the case when it comes to dogs! The peroxide will actually kill not only the bacteria in the cut, but it will also kill the cells in the dogs body that it needs to heal the wound. Using peroxide on your dog's open wound will actually counteract the healing process!
When treating a small cut or wound, it is always important to clean the cut to remove dirt or debris that can settle in and hinder the healing process. One of the best and safest solutions to use to clean and flush the area is a simple pressurized saline solution. Even an eye contact saline solution works well if you don't have a pressurized saline solution in a first aid kit, as the saline solution has the same pH as the skin and it won't burn or irritate the wounded area. This helps the process as your dog is less likely to resist what you are doing.
Once cleaned, bacitracin can be applied to help keep the wound from getting infected and will assist in the healing process. It is deemed safe due to the fact that it will not be toxic to the dog if they are able to lick the wounded area, however once applied, the wound should be wrapped to keep dirt from contaminating it as well as to keep the pup from being able to lick. Of course you can always use a cone if needed to keep the dog from being able to reach the area being treated.
It is important remember that if a cut or abrasion is deep or severe, a veterinarian should be seen to make sure that the wound is cleaned and addressed properly. There is always a possibility that a bad cut can need more than a simple cleaning and ointment, and could require vet attention and possibly stitches. If the wound continues to bleed or if you believe the wound is deep, always lean on the side of caution and contact your local vet.
Comments