Do you share your home with a dog? Then surely you have already realized how complex your pet's he alth can be, since our furry friends are susceptible to numerous conditions, just as it happens to us.
It is important that the owner has some basic knowledge about first aid in dogs, however, we must know that these are intended to perform a quick and urgent intervention, but not to replace veterinary care. However, it is just as important that the dog go to the vet whenever he needs it as that we carry out an adequate follow-up at home.
If your dog has ever suffered a topical injury, you have surely asked yourself " How to prevent my dog from scratching a wound? " In this AnimalWised article we explain it to you.
The scratching and licking of the wound
When suffering from an annoying mosquito bite you have surely scratched tirelessly, on some occasions, we can even cause a slight injury with scratching, and scratching a wound or injury causes us discomfort and pain is an instinctive act in all living beings, especially in our pets, which obviously retain their instincts to a greater degree than we do.
The main problem is that this instinctive act is very counterproductive for the proper healing of the wound, in addition, excessive scratching and licking it causes the release of substances that our dog finds pleasant, which turns this bad habit into a vicious circle. This same lick-reward-lick mechanism is a causative factor in acral granuloma.
Elizabethan Collar
The Elizabethan collar is also known as the cone of shame or bell, and its use is widespread, especially after surgery, to prevent the dog from removing surgical stitches prematurely.
This is a highly stressful plastic device for dogs, as it deprives them of adequate vision and makes control of our pet on the environment is diminished. A dog wearing an Elizabethan collar may exhibit the following behavior:
- Collides with everyday objects
- Don't want to walk
- Gruns and snarls if someone approaches him
- Cannot eat or drink water
Although using this collar is not at all pleasant for our dog, sometimes it is the best option, especially when we are before a post-surgical wound.
We can make this experience a more pleasant experience: Never approach your dog by surprise, talk to him first so he can perceive that you are approaching, stand in front of him to encourage him to walk, remove the furniture that is now an obstacle for the pet and raise his feeder and drinker so that he can feed himself without difficulty.
Bandage
The use of a bandage as a tool to prevent scratching and licking of the wound will depend on the type of wound, the type of bandage and the behavior of the dog. Let's look at these factors in more detail below:
- Wound: Not all wounds can be dressed. Generally, those derived from a surgical intervention are bandaged before the animal is discharged, but on the other hand, other milder ones, such as scratches or cuts, can benefit from contact with the open air.
- Bandage: A light bandage may not stop the harmful effects of scratching and licking the wound. A thick, compressive bandage is required, the suitability of which should obviously be determined by the veterinarian.
- Behavior: A dog who is keen to scratch and lick his wound may be able to destroy even the most complex bandage, therefore, encourage calmness in the dog and monitor him will be decisive in deciding on one method or another.
Wound Protector
To protect those minor injuries this can be an excellent option as well as very comfortable for our pet. These are products in the form of sprays or lotions that create a protective film on the wound and thus allow it to heal properly.
They can be easily purchased at pharmacies, but it is very important that it is a product suitable for veterinary use, in this sense the best option is to buy it at a specialized pet store.
