Spray-on Wound Dressings

[Eleanor Gibbins]

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Hi - last week my Merlin cut his paw pad, probably on a bit of glass - there is masses of it on the pavements in Bristol, and I usually manage to steer him clear, but obviously missed this bit.

Anyway - he has a small cut on one of his front paw pads. Not deep or serious - just cut through the very outer layer of pad, nice clean cut which bled a little but stopped pretty quickly. I have reduced our walking for the past 4 days to the absolute minimum - just enough to do the necessary 'business'. I have covered it with a child's sock to prevent grit and muck getting in, but it is in a spot which is almost impossible to bandage effectively.

Now that it is beginning to granulate and heal, I was wondering whether to try a spray-on dressing just to keep it dry and clean so that it can form a proper scab. It is going to be at least another week before it is really robust enough to let him off-lead, but he is going to start climbing the walls if I don't walk him a bit more than I am now! (I should add that he has remained completely sound throughout, so he is obviously not feeling any pain from the wound.)

Does anyone have any first-hand experience of these types of dressing? I have used the Germolene 'New Skin' on my own wounds and know that it stings like fury if there is even a small bit of 'raw' wound, so I would definitely not want to inflict anything on Merlin that might hurt him - he is incredibly good about having me mess around with his feet and I would not want to jeopardise his goodwill.

I have found various similar preparations for animals online (Wound Plast, Tar Plaster), and wondered whether anyone has any recommendations for this type of injury?

Thanks in advance - Eleanor

 

[eve]

My vet usally recommends that wounds are left open as much as possible. This enables the scab to form and air to get into the wound. It also allows wounds to drain naturally.

It sounds like you have done really well and that the cut is healing nicely. I would leave off the spray plaster. There are a lot of chemicals we can tolerate that dogs cannot. The spray plaster can trap germs inside (as well as keeping them out) and some humans are allergic to the contents. My mother who is a GP also believes that leaving wounds open allows rapid healing.

One thing I do keep in the house is Betadine spray. This is a dry iodine spray antiseptic powder, great stuff but does dye the area yellow for a few days.

Very useful for preventing infection where there are nicks and tears in the skin.

Beware too some dogs are terrified of the noise / hiss an aerosol makes.

 

[jinnyfizz]

My vet usally recommends that wounds are left open as much as possible.
My mother who is a GP also believes that leaving wounds open allows rapid healing.

Couldn't agree more!!! Both from a human health and animal health viewpoint :thumbsup:

Golden rule is generally to keep an eye on the wound and promote healthy healing by ensuring a clean environment for your dog to walk in/on without too much abrasion/stress to the pad until it is healed.

Is there a canine hydrotherapy place near to you? - Excellent exercise without any worry of infection and most whippets LOVE it

 

[Eleanor Gibbins]

Thanks both of you for your responses. I am also a believer in keeping wounds open, but when it is on the bottom of the foot it is more of a problem because of dirt getting in. Following your advice, I will stick to the sock method for now!

As to hyrdotherapy, I have used it before with my previous boy - we have a lovely pool called Amberco just south of Bristol and I found them wonderful, so would certainly use them again if Merlin was off exercise for any length of time. Looking at his paw this morning, I think we shall be back to normal within the next couple of days, so hopefully shan't need it this time!

If you see any low-flying whippets over the next few days don't worry - it will just be Merl getting rid of a week's pent-up energy!

 

[chill36]

hi,when my lurcher cut her pad i got some dog boots of eBay and just put one on every time she went out,it stopped her foot getting wet and heeled very quickly :thumbsup: so very handy to have in. Julie

 

[eve]

I forgot to add, the other staple in my doggy first aid kit SUDOCREM. (for nappyrash!)

It relieves itching, soothes pain and is antiseptic. It has moisturisng properties and dogs do not tend to like the taste.

It tends to repel water and keeps germs out.

Hope Merlin is free to bounce soon