When your dog gets hurt or injures itself, it can be a nerve-racking scenario. Dog owners who have taken care of an injury understand how challenging it can be to apply topical medicines without their pet hindering. A dog’s injury requires particular focus, and you should know how to clean it and keep your dog from licking it.
Practical Ways to Prevent Your Dog From Licking Its Wounds
Dogs lick their injuries the same way humans rub their heads after being struck in the head. The rubbing sensation prevents the brain from registering any discomfort. Undoubtedly, there are some limited antimicrobial effects of dog saliva. A wild or feral dog can clean the wound by licking it if it gets hurt.
Wild animals are occupied with maintaining their safety and seeking food. Still, a well-fed, well-cared-for pet can spend a lot of time licking a wound, intensifying it, and making it much more excruciating. Therefore, it is essential to limit access to injuries, especially surgical ones containing stitches. For that reason, these are some methods to discourage dogs from licking their wounds.
Wear Preventive Accessories
You may wish to buy an e-collar, often referred to as a dog cone, if your curious dog keeps pawing at your bandages. While Dogs might frown at using an e-collar, they are the best means to keep them from licking their stitches or a bandage they shouldn’t be touching.
While e-collars are convenient inside your house, you shouldn’t allow your dog to run free in the yard while wearing one. The cones on the collar can easily get caught on things like tree branches, preventing your dog from seeing well. But if your dog licked and opened an injury or stitches, you should visit your local veterinarian that offers animal surgery services promptly so they can fix it. In this manner, no more issues will arise.
Apply Anti-lick Strips or Sprays
You can get this thing from your local pet shop or a vet. Using items made from natural ingredients can help reduce the possibility of unfavorable responses. Use a cotton swab to apply them to the healthy skin around the incision or wounded area. Before putting it around the cut or wound, give your pet a taste to avoid licking.
It’s rather upsetting for pet owners to witness their animals in agony. Nonetheless, cold laser therapy can assist if you think they’re in a lot of pain and discomfort. Seek the suggestions of a trusted veterinarian before performing this procedure. If you are interested in cold laser therapy, click here.
Use Medication
Some canines have developed an undesirable fixation with licking their wounds, to the point where they may spend most of their time doing nothing but licking. A bandage or other obstacles won’t cease them from licking the wound. Your dog requires aid if it acts like this. In this case, it is recommended to bring them to a vet from an animal hospital like Fayette Veterinary Medical Center for therapy.
The dog may be administered anti-psychotic medication or other therapies. A veterinarian is the finest person to advise you.
The Takeaway
Dogs frequently lick their injuries to reduce the discomfort they’re experiencing. But if the injury is licked too much, it will become infected, and the surrounding tissues will become inflamed. Your dog will recover if you understand what you’re doing for it. Additionally, a veterinarian will evaluate your treatment options, including any aftercare that will help your dog recover quicker and with fewer setbacks.
