 Punctures
#310472 - 01/06/2011 07:09 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-13-2010
Posts: 511
Loc: Western Australia
 Offline |
|
My two boys decided to have a disagreement and ones ended up with a couple of punctures, one sort of deep the other not so much, is this a trip to the vet? Or can I take care of this at home and maybe get some antibiotics if need be, I've bathed it in dettol and put betadine on it try and keep it clean, is there other things I can do or just take him to the vet in the morning? BTW my vet is pretty ordinary I'm in the middle of looking for a good one, hard to find!!
|
 Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: Brad Higgs ]
#310475 - 01/06/2011 07:24 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 11-12-2002
Posts: 189
Loc: VA, USA
| Offline |
|
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: John Lister ]
#310476 - 01/06/2011 07:30 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-13-2010
Posts: 511
Loc: Western Australia
| Offline |
|
Thanks John, good to know!
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: Brad Higgs ]
#310537 - 01/06/2011 11:21 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-20-2009
Posts: 786
Loc: Whitehorse, Yukon
| Offline |
|
I am not a vet, or any other health care professional - but I have worked at a vet clinic.
Here is what I do when my dogs get a cut (from our fencing) or once after my male had a lump removed.
Clean the area thoroughly, pack it with honey (put a gob on) and wrap it with a piece of gauze and vet wrap.
Honey is a natural healer and can keep the area from being infected. Or you can use regular table sugar.
When I was working at the vet clinic, we had a dog brought in that was picked up on the side of the highway by animal control. She had an abcess burst on the side of her face that litterally left a huge patch of skin missing over her entire right cheek. I wanted to name her two face, but she was named sugar, because that is what they used to heal her. We cleaned the area, packed it with sugar, and wrapped it up. Change the bandages every morning for the first few days, then every other after that. (if you need to continue the treatment for that long)
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: Niomi Smith ]
#310548 - 01/06/2011 12:23 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-15-2010
Posts: 741
Loc: bc, canada
| Offline |
|
I have to point out that a bite wound is very different from a puncture from fencing or a sliced pad from glass, etc. A bite wound automatically has bacteria in it, and you do not want to close it up. However, sometimes they are obviously too large to leave open, and need to have a drain placed and get sutured. I can't tell you what to do, but if it's deep, antibiotics are a good idea. Also, depending on the nature of the wound, it might appear small, but there could be a pocket on the inside (an area where the skin has torn away from the muscle), where an abscess can form.
While honey can be used for cuts, I would only use it in a situation where the wound was relatively open, not a bite, or if it was a bite, antibiotics on board. Maybe Betty can weigh in on that.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: phaedra rieff ]
#310553 - 01/06/2011 01:02 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-20-2009
Posts: 786
Loc: Whitehorse, Yukon
| Offline |
|
It is still best to have a vet examine - but when I worked at the clinic honey or sugar were both used on bite wounds, infected and non. They can actually prevent infection from happening, not 100% of course. But the infected ones were of course given antibiotics as well as the treatments - some punctures they did not want to close in case an abcess formed (these were the in and out, no tearing ones, I believe)
But yes, Betty, help us out a smidge 
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: Niomi Smith ]
#310566 - 01/06/2011 01:55 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 11-30-2009
Posts: 3724
Loc: minnesota
| Offline |
|
Phaedra is right about all of it.
Teeth inject bacteria under the skin, where they grow and a boil or abcess can form. You can head this off with a good cleaning and a dose of antibiotic early - If you wait until the "boil" stage, lancing (drainage)+antibiotic is the deal.
The drug needs to be in the blood usually to reach the bacteria from the inside.
Not every bite = an abcess. May your dog will be lucky!
(Sugar and honey and good topical treatments IMO)
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: Betty Landercasp ]
#310569 - 01/06/2011 02:07 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-16-2007
Posts: 2851
Loc: oklahoma
| Offline |
|
We have always treated puncture wounds with warm salt water compresses. It helps to keep the scab soft so that it can drain and the salt helps to draw out the nasties.
Of course when in doubt go with antibiotics and a vet appointment.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: Jennifer Lee ]
#310573 - 01/06/2011 02:35 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 09-28-2009
Posts: 487
Loc: Alaska
| Offline |
|
I wouldn't mess around with punctures. And a good cleaning might be difficult because the wound is small, and tends to close quickly- plus the complicating factor of dog hair, and keeping a the site sterile/clean. I'd go to the vet, and get a round of antibiotics, just to be safe. Infections can be very nasty things.
I had a puncture wound in my thumb from a dog tooth (not my dog), and ended up a week later spending two days in the hospital on IV antibiotics. I had cleaned the wound and soaked in salt (ouch!) when it was still open but it closed up quickly and started swelling. When I saw the red streaks start up my hand, (and when my school's health insurance finally started), I went to the ER.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Punctures
[Re: Jennifer Lee ]
#310575 - 01/06/2011 02:39 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 11-30-2009
Posts: 3724
Loc: minnesota
| Offline |
|
Jennifer is great IMO with the warm salt (Epsom salt is good too) compresses. If you can keep the thing open and draining it won't abcess.
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
