Nails to Tails:
Injury Care for Your Dog

By Bianca Shaw

Bumps and bruises, slips and strains; we humans suffer from them all the time. But if you’re out with your dog, injury can happen to it as well. Did you know that while many simple first aid practices for humans work just as well for dogs, some can be deadly? Our pets can react badly to medicines and therapies that we wouldn’t think twice about using on ourselves. Many treatments may be used ON the dog without harm, but keeping them from getting INSIDE the dog may be difficult. Common sense is the key.

Catching injuries quickly and applying basic care may keep an injury from worsening. Remember, a dog’s instinct is to hide or protect an injury in order to keep up with the pack or to continue doing something it really enjoys. Sometimes a short rest period will help reveal the severity of an injury because your pet will have time to focus on the area of pain without the distraction of toys or play.

If you suspect your dog has an injury, take a break and watch your pet walk slowly. When dogs move fast, they can shift weight away from the area of pain. Look for simple hints of lameness such as head or tail shifting. The head bobs down over the good leg and the tail often shifts away from the injury as a counterbalance. Sometimes you can identify the lame leg by having your dog walk in a circle. Dogs often resist circling toward the injured side.

Lameness caused by foot problems can be especially hard to pinpoint if several feet are affected. Look at and feel each nail, toe, and pad. Feel for debris, rocks, swellings, or cuts that may be hidden by hair. Be cautious because many dogs are sensitive to having their feet handled. It’s good practice to desensitize your pet by checking the paws regularly.

Pads and nails may bleed due to excessive wear or cuts from ice or rough surfaces. Wounds on the feet should be given extra care because they are exposed to dirt which can clot blood and hide a wound, as well as lead to infection. Boots can be used if you have a tender-footed dog, but a sock may work in a pinch to cover a injury until you get home.

If your dog is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound for 5 to 20 minutes. Pressure wraps are difficult to keep in place due to the looseness of dog skin. Cleanse wounds with plain water, with mild soap if available, or with a soak in an Epsom salt solution. Remove scabs as they soften because they may trap bacteria and irritate surrounding skin. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria but also harms healthy cells. Avoid using it on clean wounds. Your dog can damage its wound further by licking it, so keep a close eye on it for the first few days.

Infections in foot wounds can develop at any point if the wound is exposed to dirt, so protective coverings and bandages are often used for days to weeks after injury. Wounds elsewhere on the body usually do not need bandaging. Wounds larger than 1 cm, punctures, or any exposed underlying structures need to be assessed by your veterinarian.

Sprains or joint pain can be treated by applying an ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes several times in the first 24 hours. Support wraps and bandages should not be used unless applied by a professional. These wraps may slip and restrict blood flow causing further injury. Restricting activity — especially jumping, running, and climbing stairs — will reduce further strain. Avoid the temptation to give any human medications by mouth or on the skin because dogs may develop serious stomach problems, even with a single dose. Ointment with menthol or salicylates may also cause stomach problems if your dog licks it off. Heat, pain, and/or swelling that lasts longer than 24 hours should be assessed by your vet.

Bianca Shaw, DVM, has a veterinary practice in Portland, OR providing rehabilitation therapy and conditioning for dogs and cats. She employs physical therapy techniques to improve flexibility and strength, and to treat chronic pain due to injury, arthritis, or surgery. The center is located at 9045 SW Barbur Blvd. Suite 130, 503-546-8995.