Oct 30, 2024
Dogs are known to be super energetic and curious, which can sometimes lead to simple injuries from their adventures. Knowing how to manage your dog’s injuries is a key part of being a dog owner. When a single scratch comes, be sure to expect a lot more the more your dog plays outside.
However, keeping your dog safe should be a top priority. Injuries can be fatal, which is why it’s important to understand how to treat dog injuries. To help you get started, here’s a quick guide.
Common Dog Injuries and How to Treat Them
There are plenty of dog injuries to go around, but here are the common ones that you should be aware of:
Bite and Scratch Wounds
Bite and scratch wounds are common when dogs encounter other animals or get into fights. These wounds are super risky due to the fact that animal bites can lead to serious infections. Even if a bite looks small, it can cause extensive tissue trauma beneath the skin.
Look for puncture marks, bruising, swelling, bleeding, and sensitivity when touched. Sometimes, bite wounds may only look like minor cuts, but the underlying damage can lead to deeper infections or abscesses.
How to Treat Bite and Scratch Wounds
Start the first aid treatment by gently cleaning the area with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly with saline solution or clean water. Control the bleeding by applying a bit of pressure, and make sure to cover the entire affected area with a bandage. Follow this up by taking your dog to the clinic to get a more thorough examination and treatment.
Paw Pad Injuries
Dog paw pads are tough, but they’re prone to injury from rough surfaces, sharp objects, or extreme temperatures. Even a small cut on a paw can be quite painful for a dog, as the pads are thick but contain many sensitive nerves. Common causes include stepping on sharp rocks, broken glass, or hot pavement during summer.
The most obvious signs you’ll notice are when you see your dog limping, licking the paw, and bleeding. The paw will most likely have some form of cuts, burns, or irritation.
How to Treat Paw Pad Injuries
Use cool water to help soothe your dog’s irritated paw. If any cuts are present, be sure to gently wash it with small amounts of water and remove any debris present. Use an antiseptic to wipe the surface of its paw and wrap it in a sterile gauze. Be sure to bring your dog to the vet to get immediate treatment in case of any secondary infections.
Once in the clinic, we’ll focus on managing your dog’s paw injury by using medications to prevent infection and bring relief.
Eye Injuries
Eye injuries in dogs are especially delicate and can occur from playing with foreign objects and fighting with other animals. Eye injuries can range from minor issues like dust irritation to more serious scratches on the cornea, which, if left untreated, may lead to long-term vision issues.
A dog with an eye injury might squint, tear excessively, and keep the affected eye partially closed. The eye may appear red or swollen, and there could be discharge, which often signals infection. In some cases, the eye might bulge or appear cloudy.
Treatment for Eye Injuries
Gently rinse your dog’s eyes with a saline solution or clean water. Prevent your dog from pawing or scratching its eye by using an Elizabethan collar. After this, bring your dog to the clinic where our vets will work to treat its eye. Depending on the situation, we’ll utilize a variety of techniques and medications to help soothe your dog.
Cruciate Ligament Tears
Cruciate ligament tears are common in dogs who play actively, jump a lot, or have a tendency to pivot sharply during play. This injury typically affects one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee, leading to instability in the joint. Once a dog suffers from one torn cruciate ligament, they’re at higher risk of injuring the other knee due to compensation strain on the remaining ligament.
You’ll notice your dog limping, often refusing to use the affected leg. They’ll hold their leg up or avoid activities that require running or jumping. Dogs might appear sore or wince if you touch the knee area.
Treatment for Cruciate Ligament Tears
Restrict your dog’s movement immediately if it has a knee injury. Place them in a comfortable, confined area to avoid unnecessary strain on the injured knee. A cold compress on the affected area can help with swelling in the early stages. Along with this, make sure to contact your vet to discuss treatment options depending on your dog’s situation. This can include medications, therapy, and, in most cases, surgery.
Fractures and Dislocations
Fractures and dislocations are severe injuries that often occur from high falls, car accidents, or hard crashes during playtime. These injuries can be super painful and visibly distressing for the dog, as they would need emergency care if this kind of injury happens.
These types of injuries often cause your dog to limp, have difficulty walking, or cry out in pain if the limb is touched. You might see swelling or, in severe cases, the bone protruding under the skin.
How to Treat Fractures and Dislocations
If you suspect a fracture or dislocation, avoid moving the limb. Wrap it loosely with a towel or cloth for stability, and keep your dog as still as possible to prevent further damage. If bleeding is present, take quick steps to clean it and lightly bandage it. Use a soft-sided carrier if possible to transport them to the clinic without putting strain on the injured area. X-rays are typically needed to confirm the injury, and treatment can range from splints and casts to surgery in severe cases.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a very serious issue for dogs since they don’t sweat like humans do, and they mostly rely on panting to cool off. It can happen quickly in hot weather or if a dog is left in a car without proper ventilation. In the worst cases, heat stroke can lead to severe organ damage if not treated immediately.
You’ll notice your dog to be panting heavily, excessively drooling, and vomiting. Dogs also tend to stick their tongue out to regulate their body temperature. In some cases, some dogs may seem disoriented, unwilling to get up, and might collapse.
How to Treat Heat Stroke
Move your dog to a shaded and cool area. Provide small amounts of cool water to drink, but don’t let them gulp it down too quickly, as this may cause vomiting. You can also throw cool water on your dog, but make sure this isn’t cold. While your dog is trying to recover, contact us as soon as possible, as severe heat stroke often requires IV fluids, oxygen therapy, medications, and professional monitoring to help with recovery.
Oral Injuries
Oral injuries typically occur when dogs chew on bones, sticks, or other hard objects. These injuries can involve cuts to the gums, broken teeth, or even objects getting lodged between teeth, which can lead to secondary infections when left untreated.
Dogs with oral injuries might drool excessively, paw at their mouths, refuse food, or yelp when eating.
How to Treat Oral Injuries
Gently examine the mouth, being cautious as dogs can react to pain by biting. Rinse the mouth with clean, cool water to remove any dirt or debris, and use tweezers if you see a visible foreign object that can be safely removed. It’s important to clean your dog’s wound with a cloth while contacting the clinic. At the clinic, your dog will receive cleaning and treatment, which can involve medications, anesthesia, and stitching.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Strains, sprains, and bruises are fairly common, especially in active dogs. These injuries often result from running, jumping, or twisting motions that put stress on the muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Though soft tissue injuries may not seem as serious as fractures, they can cause significant discomfort and may take time to heal fully.
Limping, swelling, and sensitivity to touch are typical symptoms. Your dog may favor one leg or hesitate to climb stairs or jump onto furniture. In more severe cases, you might notice your dog resting more and being less enthusiastic about play.
How to Treat Soft Tissue Injuries
Start by restricting your dog’s movement to prevent further injury. Keep your dog in a cool and confined space, preventing any activity. Apply a cold compress to the injured area to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Pain medications and physical therapy are key to helping your dog recover. In severe cases, soft tissue surgery might be required.
Poisoning
Dogs may ingest toxic substances like chocolate, household cleaning products, or certain plants. Poisoning requires immediate action, as some toxins can cause rapid symptoms.
Symptoms can vary widely but often include drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. Tremors, collapse, and seizures can also become possibilities in more serious cases.
How to Treat Poisoning
Move your dog away from the toxin immediately. If you know what they ingested, note the product and immediately bring your dog to the nearest available clinic. The vets may administer activated charcoal to absorb toxins and other supportive treatments such as IV fluids, oxygen therapy, and pain medications.
Tail Injuries
A tail injury, or “happy tail,” often occurs when dogs wag too vigorously and hit their tails on hard surfaces or when they get their tails caught in doors. Longer-tailed breeds, highly active dogs, and large dog breeds are especially prone to tail injuries.
Look for redness, swelling, cuts, or bleeding around the tail. Your dog might show sensitivity when the tail is touched, or you might see them licking the area excessively.
How to Treat Tail Injuries
Start by cleaning any cuts with a mild antiseptic solution. If the tail is bleeding, apply light pressure using a clean cloth to stop the pressure. Then, loosely wrap it with sterile gauze to prevent infection and re-injury. Elizabeth collars can be used to prevent licking and chewing.
Conclusion
Because accidents are common, all owners should know how to treat dog injuries. A quick first aid is always a great first line of defense, and our help is a great form of reinforcement. When it comes to your dog’s injuries, a couple of visits should do the trick.