Pet First Aid: Cleaning Wounds

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

10 Sep 2006 02:11 PM

Any break in the skin -- a cut, a scrape, a broken blister -- can allow bacteria and other foreign matter to enter a wound and possibly cause infection. Bleeding can help flush out dangerous material, but you may need to clean a wound to protect your pet from further harm.

In fact, if a wound is bleeding profusely, don't try to clean it right away. This can cause a wound to bleed more. Wait until the bleeding has stopped before trying to clean a wound.

1. Get long fur out of the way. Use a pair of safety scissors (with blunt, not pointed tips) to trim the hair. Slide your index and middle fingers through the hair against the skin and trim only to the height of your fingers. Dab a water-soluble lubricant like K-Y Jelly onto the area around the wound to catch the hair. You can also use electric clippers if you can clearly see the wound and cut around it.
2. Gently flush out the wound with cool water or sterile saline contact lens solution. Keep in mind that the area will be sore, and any touch can cause pain. Don't use the sink sprayer on high pressure! Don't turn the garden hose on full blast! Be gentle.
3. Apply a non-stinging antiseptic solution to the wound, like iodine or betadine solution. Dilute with water and spray onto the wound.
4. Gently dab the wound dry with a clean, lint-free cloth or sterile gauze pads.

Many injuries will heal best if allowed contact with open air. However, if your pet will not leave the injury alone -- licking, or chewing at it -- you may need to apply a bandage.

Sometimes the itching is caused more by irritation from the clippers than from the wound itself. A dab of petroleum jelly or other lubricant AROUND the wound may help relieve itching.

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