How To Treat A Dog Scratch
Introduction
Being scratched by a dog can be an uncomfortable experience for both you and your pet. The good news is it’s usually not too serious. But in a worst-case scenario, dog scratches can sometimes lead to serious infections. That’s why it’s important to know how to treat a dog scratch or bite. If you see that your dog has recently been scratched by another animal, take the following precautions immediately:
How To Treat A Dog Scratch
If the skin is broken and bleeding, flush the wound with clean water or saline solution. If you see redness, irritation or swelling around the scratch, try treating it with an antibacterial ointment such as Neosporin.
If your dog accidentally scratches you while playing in a rough manner and his nails break through your skin, be sure to practice proper hygiene techniques after cleaning the wound. After flushing out any dirt or debris from under your fingernails (or other affected area), wash your hands thoroughly under warm running water for at least 20 seconds — then rinse them again with soap and lather up. This removes germs that could cause infection if they were left behind on your skin.(1) Then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if possible; this will further reduce bacteria on your hands after washing them.(2)
Finally: Contact Your Vet Immediately!
In a worst-case scenario, dog scratches can sometimes lead to serious infections. That’s why it’s important to know how to treat a dog scratch. If you see that your dog has recently been scratched by another animal, take the following precautions immediately:
If you notice the skin around your dog’s wound is broken, or if there’s any bleeding, flush the wound with clean water or saline solution.
If you see redness, irritation or swelling around the area where your dog was scratched by another animal (or other creature), try treating it with an antibacterial ointment first.
If the skin is broken and bleeding, flush the wound with clean water or saline solution. This will minimize the amount of saliva and bacteria entering the scratch.
If the skin is broken and bleeding, flush the wound with clean water or saline solution. This will minimize the amount of saliva and bacteria entering the scratch. Wounds should be cleaned with soap and water (avoid using alcohol) before applying antibiotic ointment. The wound should be covered loosely with gauze to prevent infection while it heals.
If you notice your dog scratching excessively, consider treating him/her for fleas and ticks as both can cause allergic reactions that result in itching which leads to scratching. If your dog is unresponsive to treatment, he/she may have developed an allergy or a bacterial infection; visit your vet ASAP to determine what best treatment options are available for you!
If there are no broken areas in the skin but you see redness, irritation or swelling around the scratch, try treating it with an antibacterial ointment.
If there are no broken areas in the skin but you see redness, irritation or swelling around the scratch, try treating it with an antibacterial ointment.
The main symptom of a dog scratch infection is redness, irritation or swelling around the area of the scratch. If your pet has any of these symptoms, take him or her to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. They may prescribe antibiotics if they think that the wound is at risk of becoming infected.
- Take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. They may prescribe antibiotics if they think that the wound is at risk of becoming infected.
- Your vet will check for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling around the scratch, discharge from the scratch site, or odor coming from the wound. If there are any signs of infection, your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
- Your vet can also advise you on how to treat the wound itself and what measures to take if it becomes infected later down the road (e.g., changing bandages daily).
If your dog gets scratched by another animal, there are steps you should take immediately.
If your dog has been scratched by another animal, there are steps you should take immediately.
- Flush the wound with clean water or saline solution. If it’s deep, apply pressure until he stops bleeding.
- Look for signs of infection such as redness, irritation or swelling around the scratch site within 48 hours after being scratched by another animal. If you see any of these signs, try treating the wound with an antibacterial ointment (like Neosporin) twice daily for three days in order to help prevent infection from developing.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful in explaining how to treat a dog scratch. Remember that dog scratches can sometimes lead to serious infections, so it’s important to know what steps to take if your dog is scratched.