Using a cleanser such as diluted betadine or chlorhexidine, which are often included in a packaged first aid kit, gently clean the injured area. Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as these can damage the tissue and delay healing. Cover up the wound with a bandage.
What should I clean the wound with? Warm tap water is recommended for cleaning most wounds. Warm saline (salt solution) may also be used. This may be made by adding approximately one level teaspoonful (5 mL) of salt (or Epsom salts) to two cups (500 mL) of water.
A squirt bottle or an even stream of warm water can remove stubborn dirt. Dry the Wound: Once the wound is clear, gently dab the area with a paper towel. Apply Antiseptic and Antimicrobial Liquid: Apply your antiseptic to the cut. Then apply your antimicrobial liquid to encourage the best and quickest healing.
If there is a scrape or cut on your dog's skin, you should be able to use this over-the-counter antiseptic cream as a one-off. This will help keep them free of infection while healing. Note: This should only be done in small applications as it is not meant for dogs.
To apply betadine on your dog, gently wipe the wound with a washcloth saturated with the betadine solution. You can do this up to twice a day for minor sores or skin infections. One great thing about Betadine is that it is completely harmless if it's ingested.
Betadine is an over-the-counter topical antiseptic meant to reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin. It contains povidone-iodine, which is a potent antiseptic. For many reasons, veterinarian surgeons use it when preparing the skin for surgery. It is also great for dog wounds.
Vaseline does not have any antibacterial, soothing or healing properties. If you're in a pinch it won't hurt, but in the long term, there are more beneficial products formulated specifically for dogs that are safer to use.
Sarah also recommends coconut oil for healing open wounds due to its anti-bacterial properties. “My youngest dog had an open wound on the corner of his mouth. I applied coconut oil to the wound daily and it cleared up after just a few days. ”
Bacitracin is a safe and effective antibiotic for treating bacterial infections in dogs, particularly after surgery. Its use has been shown to reduce the risk of infections and positive bacteria cultures.
Clean The Area
To make saline solution at home simply boil some water, add table salt and stir until it's dissolved before letting it cool to a skin-comfortable temperature. Once the wound is clean, pat the area dry with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. Apply a non-stinging antiseptic solution.
However, you should never apply ACV onto any open wounds, as it will cause stinging, which will be painful for your dog. If your main concern is a yeast infection, consider giving the apple cider vinegar orally instead of using it topically.
Cleaning. Clean your dog's wound two to three times daily with salt water (see image above). Don't use anything else to clean the wound unless you have spoken to your vet - even veterinary antiseptics can slow down healing.
Dog saliva might have some healing properties, and before the advent of modern medicine, licking wounds was your dog's best defense against infection. In today's world, however, we have better options. Avoid putting your dog at risk by keeping a first-aid kit with a wound care product on hand.
This brings us to the million dollar question: "What can I put on my dog's cut?" Dilute betadine is an excellent disinfectant to keep in your first-aid kit. A good alternative to betadine is diluted chlorhexidine.
**Cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil is nice and has an anti-inflammatory effect, but it doesn't keep long, so if you're worried you won't get through the entire batch, use a smaller jar. Keep an eye on your dog's wound, keep it clean, and you should notice improvements rather quickly.
To make an effective spray for any cut, or wound, combine 4 cups of any herbal tea with ¾ cup aloevera juice or gel and ½ cup unrefined sea salt. Even plain salt water is a wound-healing treatment. Apply a solution of 2 tablespoons unrefined sea salt in ½ cup water, the sore is sure to get better with time.
Sudocrem. This can be used in dogs and cats in small amounts. Sudocrem contains zinc-oxide which is highly toxic to birds. Zinc-oxide is also toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in large quantities, but applying a thin layer of sudocrem to sore or irritated skin is generally safe and can be beneficial.
Alcohols are one of the most popular antiseptic and disinfecting products, used every day in veterinary clinics and laboratories. Although many alcohols are germicidal, the two most commonly used as disinfecting agents are ethyl and isopropyl alcohol.
Toxicity to pets
Tea tree oil is often found in varying concentrations and high concentrations should never be used on pets. As little as 7 drops of 100% oil has resulted in severe poisoning, and applications of 10-20 mls of 100% oil have resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats.
FAQ - Can antiseptic cream be used on dogs or other pets? Savlon Antiseptic Cream is not meant to be used on animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits etc. Sometimes vets will be able to supply a suitable antiseptic cream or ointment, however in many cases minor cuts will heal on their own.
Clean any minor wounds or cuts in clean warm water only (DO NOT USE DETTOL OR TCP) and apply a mild antiseptic cream or gel if available (eg. Germolene)
For Professional Veterinary Use Only
Uses: For preparation of the skin prior to surgery. Helps to reduce bacteria on the skin that potentially can cause infection.
Applied to cuts, wounds, skin infections, and itchy areas, vinegar soothes skin and aids healing. To prevent the staining of white or very light coats, use apple cider vinegar sparingly or substitute distilled white vinegar.