Products To Keep On Hand For At-Home Pet Wound Care
If your dog or cat develops a serious wound, of course, you need to take them to the vet. However, there's not usually a need to have minor wounds, like tiny cuts and scratches, treated by the vet. You can care for these minor wounds at home, just as you would a scrape or blister on your own body. To provide this care, though, you do need to have the right products on hand. Here are the key things you should keep in your home for pet wound care.
Antimicrobial Liquid
A basic antimicrobial rinse or liquid is ideal for cleaning out any cuts and minor wounds after you discover them. Some people simply use iodine for this purpose. Hydrogen peroxide is another good choice, although it may bleach out your pet's coat if it's a darker color. Any antimicrobial liquid that says it is safe for veterinary use will do, really.
Gauze
Gauze is made so that it does not pull apart and does not have a tacky surface like cotton. You can put it over a wound, and it really won't stick. You can also use gauze to wipe out wounds, as needed. Add rolled gauze and gauze pads to your collection of wound care products. The rolls are good for wrapping paws and legs, and the pads are good for wiping.
Antibiotic Ointment
You will typically see triple antibiotic ointments that contain three antibiotics in one. These are great for applying to little wounds in order to prevent infection. Just make sure you buy a formula that is safe for pets, in case your pet decides to lick it.
Saline Solution
Saline solution can come in really handy if your pet comes in with an irritated eye. You can rinse the eye to make sure there are no foreign bodies in it or to soothe irritation due to allergies. Eye problems can be really serious, and you should call the vet if you suspect anything more than allergic irritation. But using saline can help in the meantime.
Magnifying Glass
This one might sound strange at first, but it's really useful. A magnifying glass can give you a closer look at a wound. It can allow you to see splinters in a cut or examine the edges of an incision.
With these over-the-counter pet wound care supplies in your cabinet, you'll be better prepared to take great care of your pet when they suffer minor injuries.
