Jan 22 2009
Open Wounds on your Pet
Any open wound which is deep, bothers the animal, or doesn’t start healing immediately should be checked by a vet, as oral antibiotics may be necessary for proper healing.
That said, at home, you definitely want to keep any open wounds disinfected and clean while healing. The worst thing would be for a wound to close up on itself prematurely while healing and causing an abscess (which is a pus filled ‘lump‘).
I would suggest getting some chlorhexidine or betadine (iodine) solution from any pharmacy and making a 1 part solution to 10 parts warm water mix. Gently but thoroughly clean out an open wound, 2-3 times daily, using the solution on a clean cotton ball, washcloth or gauze for very superficial scratches, and squirting the solution mix into wounds with a syringe for those wounds which run a little deeper or wider.
After gently patting dry, you can apply a thin strip of Neosporin or other human antibiotic ointment to very topical, superficial wounds. Just a thin strip will do, enough to absorb into the wound but not too much as to coat the area and not let air in at it to help heal. For slightly deeper wounds, do not apply any ointments, which only cover it and impede the air getting at it to help it heal. Do try to keep all open wounds clean as best as possible.
If any wound starts to bother your pet, you may need an e-collar to prevent scratching or licking at it and causing further harm.
Christine, LVT
