We all love our pets and hate to see them in pain, but it is quite unfortunate that accidents can not be completely avoided. You can’t exactly keep your dog tied up in a place just because you do not want to see them injured. Dogs are naturally playful and curious, which may lead them to places that could make them have cuts, wounds, punctures, and scrapes.
When accidents happen, the next line of action is to look for ways to protect the wound and prevent it from getting infected. There are several steps on how to disinfect dog wounds that would be¹ helpful for you at home right before you get to a vet.
Types Of Dog Wounds
Accidents are not limited to a particular location. This is why humans and dogs can sustain injuries in the kitchen, garden, rooms, and several places.
Wounds like cuts, scrapes, and punctures have a high risk of getting infected. These types of wounds allow microorganisms into the body because the skin barrier has been broken. The object that caused the injury may already carry some microorganisms on it, hence the need for disinfecting.
If left unattended, the wound may get exposed to more organisms from the environment, increasing the level of infections.
Supplies Needed To Clean and Disinfect Dog Wound
Before knowing how to disinfect dog wounds, knowing the supplies you would need to get the activity done effectively would be handy. You may or may not need all these supplies, but knowing about first aid kits to treat your dog’s wound is great.
You can be prepared by keeping these supplies in a bag or a container incase your dog gets injured. Make sure to² treat your dog’s wound first, no matter where it is located or how deep it looks.
The supplies you may need to treat your dog’s wound include:
Clean Clothes and Towel
This is used to clean the face of the wound with warm water gently. This is better than washing the wound with soap which could irritate it.
Iodine
Iodine is very effective for severe burn wounds; it is an antiseptic agent that does not produce harmful reactions in the wound. It does not delay the healing of the wound and clears out the bacteria in the wound.
Diluted Chlorhexidine Solution
This is popular for disinfecting and cleaning dirty wounds, skin, and hands.
Antibiotic Ointment
Antibiotic ointment can help prevent and treat infection from affecting small cuts, burns, and scrapes. It does this by keeping the wound moisturized and clean.
Self-adherent Bandage Wrap Material
Better than traditional sticky tapes, this bandage wrap sticks only to itself without needing tape, clips, and pins. It effectively helps to compress wounds.
Disposable Latex Gloves
Wearing gloves helps to protect you and your dog from infection. It is inappropriate to attempt to clean a wound without putting on a disposable latex glove. Your hands could be harboring germs that can further infect the wound.
Non-stick Gauze
These first-aid supplies help clean wounds, soothe the pains from the wound, and help in applying medications to the wound.
Warm Water
It is advisable to apply heat on wounds like cuts and scrapes. This is because heat helps to increase the blood flow around the wound area. The clean towel can be soaked in warm water and placed on the wound. Regular use of warm water can help hasten the healing process of the wound.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide, as a topical antiseptic, is used to clean wounds and kill bacteria found on the wound.
Electric Hair Clippers
Dogs are hairy, so cleaning wounds like cuts can be tricky. Electric hair clippers can clear the area where the wounds are so you can clean them properly.
Hypochlorous Acid
Hypochlorous Acid is trusted and can be used alongside a clean towel or cloth to clean the face of the wound. This is electronically generated. It is safe, gentle, and effective in killing bacteria. It is gentle on the skin, so you don’t have to worry about your dog getting irritated.
How To Disinfect Dog Wound
Once your first-aid supplies have been checked, disinfecting your dog’s wound is no longer difficult. There are steps on how to disinfect a dog’s wound successfully without causing further harm to your dog.
- Before disinfecting a dog’s wound, the first step is to control the bleeding. You cannot start the cleaning or disinfecting without trying to stop the bleeding. You can use clippers to shorten the hair around the wound area. Avoid getting the clippers on the skin surface to prevent further injury.
- You can clean the face of the wound with warm water and salt as it helps to wash out blood clots for proper disinfecting.
- Disinfect the wound using Chlorhexidine Solution or iodine. Hypochlorous Acid is a great replacement for these two due to some side effects they sometimes cause. You can check here for more details.
- After disinfecting, the next thing to do is dry out the wound and avoid scrubbing the wound. Gently pat it to avoid causing more pain.
- Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and use self-adherent bandage wraps to prevent your dog from licking the wound area.
- Regularly check the wound to ensure it is healing well. If the wound is serious, you may seek professional help from your veterinary doctor.
- https://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2013/april/how-to-take-care-of-your-pets-minor-wounds-30187
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Dog%2527s-Wound%3famp=1
- https://www.hypochlorousacid.com/
- https://www.ecoloxtech.com/
Other Uses of Hypochlorous Acid
We said earlier that hypochlorous acid is a general disinfectant. These are the other things that hypochlorous acid can be used to disinfect:
- Food Produce
- Meat
- Furniture
- Surgical/Medical Equipment
- Livestock
- Water
- Seafood
- Poultry
- Household furniture and fittings
- Toilets and bathrooms, among others.
