About two days ago, Thora cut her paw. It didn't bleed, the way I noticed it was I heard her licking and turned to look at her and saw the meat on her paw.
Can I put a few drops of super glue on this cut to hold it closed?

Also, I have been cleaning it by soaking it in warm water with some anti bacterial soap and epson salt, then drying it (and letting it air dry) I put some anit bacterial oitment on it and bandage it. Is this the best way to get it to heal?

Is soaking it bad? Should this kind of cut be kept dry?

I keep the cone on her, but she managed to lick it open once and this morning when I got up the bandage was off.

I have been covering it with a baggie when she goes outside and keeping her off it. But it does not seem to be closing. I did clean it with betadine the day it happened, it does not look like it is infected to me.

Please let me know if a few drops of super glue is advisable.

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww116/thebomb5150/1.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww116/thebomb5150/25th1.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww116/thebomb5150/4.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww116/thebomb5150/25th3.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww116/thebomb5150/25th2.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww116/thebomb5150/6.jpg

The dark area on the fur is from the betadine, I have trimmed some of the fur back away from the cut also. The second image is from yesterday, the others are from the first day.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (02/25/2010 02:29 PM)
Edit reason: change embedded oversize pics to URLs

My concern would be that any bacteria or infection would be closed into the wound.

That honestly looks bad enough to warrant stitches, sort of looks like a puncture. I don't know anything about using superglue on dogs.

Once it's been open a couple days pretty much you're outside of the stitch window. I wouldn't stitch it (or glue it) but rather bandage, boot, and do the epsom salt soak 2x a day. You need to keep her mouth off of it if you can. Socks over gauze taped well works.

If it starts to look weepy or infected you'll need a vet for some antibiotics.

*Please keep in mind I'm not a vet.* I have seen several wounds like that though.

I'm not a vet either but I love, love, love a product call EMT gel. It was originally made for hunting dogs that cut their pads out in the field. I used it on my dog when she split her nail and 3/4 of it came off. It has an antiseptic and an aneasthetic (sp?) and tastes like bitter apple once it dries. I swear by it. You may have to google it to find a place you can get it.

 Quote: Debbie Martin

I'm not a vet either but I love, love, love a product call EMT gel.

Me too...it's great stuff. They also have it in a spray.

leih

I just bought this, and right now mine too has a cut on his pad.
So far it is working great.

http://www.vetericyn.com/benefits/canine.php

I was going to suggest EMT gel as well, that stuff is truly amazing. But I would also have it checked if in doubt.


the gel has something very very bitter in it that helps keep them from licking.