Accidents can happen to our dogs and cats at any time, especially dogs and cats that are quite naughty and restless. Each wound they receive may be a large wound that requires urgent treatment, or a small wound that we, as owners, can take care of at home. This is to prevent the wounds of our dogs and cats from becoming infected or becoming more inflamed. Before treating their wounds, let's observe the types of wounds that are commonly found in order to provide proper first aid.
1. Abrasions
It is a shallow wound that is only deep in the epidermis or upper skin layer. There may be a little blood seeping out. It is usually caused by scratching, scraping or rubbing something.
First Aid You may use saline solution or clean water to wash the wound area to flush out dirt and debris. After that, use soap to wash the wound for about 5 minutes, then rinse with saline solution or a large amount of clean water. Then, pat the wound dry and apply Betadine once a day without covering the wound.
2. Laceration
It is a deeper wound where the skin or subcutaneous tissue is torn, possibly to the subcutaneous or muscle layer.
First Aid It is recommended to use saline or a large amount of clean water to wash the wound to flush out dirt from the wound. After that, use gauze or a clean cloth to press to stop the bleeding. In case of heavy bleeding, you should take your child to the hospital as soon as possible to clean the deep wound and inspect the damage to consider suturing the wound.
3. Deep scars
It is a wound that has a narrow opening, a small hole, but the wound is deep through the skin. Wounds of this type cannot be assessed for damage with the naked eye. There is a chance of quite a lot of damage and often there is an infection that turns into an abscess if the wound is not cleaned properly in the beginning. These wounds that are commonly found are caused by being bitten, stabbed, or punctured by a sharp object.
First Aid It is recommended to use gauze or a clean cloth to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. In case of heavy bleeding, the animal should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible because the veterinarian must assess the extent of the wound damage, depending on the location of the wound and its depth.
4. Bruises
It is a closed wound that does not have an external open wound on the skin layer. It may appear as a bruise on the skin.
First Aid It is recommended to apply a cold compress for the first 15-30 minutes. After that, you may apply an external ointment for bruising to the wound 1-2 times a day without massaging. If there is swelling, redness, inflammation, or if it feels more painful than usual, it is recommended to take the dog to see a veterinarian.
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Information from
Dr. Wichanaporn Athikanon (Dr. Ae), veterinarian at Talingchan Animal Hospital
English