Wound(s)

Superficial wound

If you find your pet at home and part of the skin is torn or lacerated but the wound is not bleeding, you can apply a “weak tea: solution of Iodine to disinfect the wound. Depending on the size of the wound you can keep the pet at home or have it checked at the vet clinic. Most superficial wounds heel nicely without being seen by a veterinarian.

Deep wound

Deep wounds are mostly related to penetrating trauma (a bite, a sharp item, glass). When taking care of deep wounds it is important to understand that these will always be contaminated and therefore abundant rinsing with disinfecting solutions is very important. Bite wounds tend to not only be deep but also have caused a lot of destruction under the seemingly small puncture wound. Check the wound also for pieces of glass or other. Not all wounds need suturing but after initial rinsing and stopping of bleeding it is best to have your pet checked by a veterinarian the same day so a course of antibiotics can be started.

Profusely bleeding wounds

Profusely bleeding wounds are always an emergency, but rather then racing of to the Vet stay calm and apply pressure on the wound so the bleeding is under control. While continuing pressure ask for help to bring you to see the Vet in order to stop the bleeding completely. Do not panic your pet now needs you!

Abscess

Although causing alarming signs of unwell-being abscesses seldom are an emergency. They will cause a high fever, are extremely painful and give symptoms of a fractured leg, but once opened or ruptured will give direct relief. Abscesses are swollen, feel warm and are often red in color and most pets will not allow you to touch them. Check for a “soft-spot” which will indicate the abscess is about to break through. It is very important to keep abscesses open for approximately 5 days, in order to prevent recurrence. (salt water can be used to rinse out abscesses (1 table spoon in 500 ml of water)