Pets and More Pets ? First Aid Treatments for the Dog's Puncture ...

Dogs are noted for their energetic, playful and explorative nature. Should a dog owner be surprised at the frequency of injuries sustained by the pet? All kinds of injuries can happen to dogs and puncture wounds can be one of the results of these accidents.

Any sharp object that pierces and penetrates the skin will result to a puncture wound. Because of an inquisitive nature, a dog will not let a debris strewn road to stand in its way especially if there is a scurrying prey on the other side. The dog therefore can sustain puncture wounds from tacks, nail, barbed wire and from other sharp objects. Dog owners take measures to dog proof the house to keep the pet safe but scissors, knives and other sharp objects can still puncture the dog?s skin. Keep dogs together for a time and dog fights will ensue. Puncture wounds can be the result of dog fights.

Puncture wounds, unlike cuts and lacerations are not heavy bleeders. The dog owner may not feel the need to deal with the dog?s wound thinking that it is a minor injury. However, punctured skin has the tendency to close or to heal at once so that bacteria can be trapped within the skin. This will naturally result to infection. Large puncture wounds can bleed freely and apart from the need to control bleeding, the dog owner has to realize that with this kind of injury, internal bleeding is possible.

As mentioned, puncture wound are not heavy bleeders and because of the fur covering the wound, the owner may not be aware of the pet?s injuries. Limping can be a sign of a puncture wound in the foot or leg. A dog with puncture wounds will be in pain and because of the pain, a change in the dog?s behavior will be noticed.

Serious puncture wounds must be treated by a vet. The pet has to be rushed to a veterinary facility to for proper evaluation and treatment of the dog?s injury. A pet owner that knows how to administer first aid can deal with the dog?s minor puncture wounds. The owner has to make sure that there are no foreign object embedded on the puncture wound. Any dirt must be removed with tweezers and the wound must be flushed with water. The puncture must be induced to bleed and this can be done by pressing the skin around the puncture. This must be done so that any germs in the wound can be flushed out of the skin together with the blood. Puncture wounds are not bandaged or closed to allow the wound to drain and to lessen the risk of infection.

Find out more about dog first aid at Sarah?s Dogs.

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Source: http://petsandmorepets.com/2012/08/first-aid-treatments-for-the-dogs-puncture-wounds/

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