Your assessment results for:

Wound or burn

Monitor your dog at home and contact your family veterinary practice if the situation doesn’t improve

What to do next

Manage the wound at home if you’re comfortable doing so. Monitor your dog closely and prevent them from irritating the wound

Monitor your dog closely for any new symptoms or changes in behavior. If the wound becomes swollen or inflamed, smelly or sore, or if it doesn’t stop bleeding within 10 minutes, contact your regular veterinary hospital.
Don’t let your dog lick or otherwise irritate the wound. Put a cone on them if you have one and if it doesn’t contact the affected area.
Be careful when handling your dog, as they may bite when they are in pain.

Why it’s lower priority

Mild superficial wounds usually heal on their own with home management

Based on what you’ve selected, your dog’s wound does not require immediate veterinary attention.
Superficial (on the surface) wounds that are not bleeding, odorous, and do not have discharge usually heal on their own with some home management.

Home care tips

Clean your dog’s wound gently if you are comfortable doing so

To help disinfect the area in minor superficial grazes:
- Boil some water, let it cool, stir in a teaspoon of salt, then drip it over the wound with a clean cloth or cotton.
- If there is any embedded dirt or debris, contact your regular veterinary practice.
- Do not use alcohol on the wound, as it is painful for your dog and not necessary.
- Hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean off any staining on your dog’s fur (but do not apply directly to the wound).
In cases of minor superficial grazes, some owners apply neosporin. If you choose to do this, be sure to prevent your dog from licking the neosporin (they will have an upset tummy), and to first test it on a small area to see if your dog reacts to it. You’ll also want to clean the wound first (as described in the previous point).
There’s no need to bandage superficial grazes. Exposure to air may help it heal faster.

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Disclaimer

Please note that our Symptoms Assessments and Results are intended for informational purposes only, and not a medical diagnosis. Our goal is to help pet owners make an informed decision about if, when and how urgently they need to seek veterinary care. Using our site should not and does not replace a consultation with a veterinarian.

Wound or burn

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