Tag Archives: wound care

Creative Alternatives to Elizabethan Collars

About six months ago, my brother’s pit bull/lab mix Kuma had to have a cyst removed from her shoulder. It was large enough that she needed five stitches and was sentenced to Conehead City for ten days. Let me tell you — Conehead City is not a fun place to live if you’re a dog or a cat. Part of Kuma’s problem was navigating stairs with her cone on. When she couldn’t see her feet, she couldn’t climb down the stairs to go into the yard to piddle! But as soon as the cone was off, she would start messing … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Cleaning Wounds

Any break in the skin — a cut, a scrape, a broken blister — can allow bacteria and other foreign matter to enter a wound and possibly cause infection. Bleeding can help flush out dangerous material, but you may need to clean a wound to protect your pet from further harm. In fact, if a wound is bleeding profusely, don’t try to clean it right away. This can cause a wound to bleed more. Wait until the bleeding has stopped before trying to clean a wound. Get long fur out of the way. Use a pair of safety scissors (with … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Bandage Basics

A bandage can help protect a wound from licking or chewing. A bandage is also a great protection from contamination! Bandages are also useful in controlling bleeding and absorbing seepage. Your basic bandage has three parts: the absorbent pad, the gauze wrap, and the tape. You want your padding to be non-stick, otherwise it will be hard to remove later. Wrap gauze over the pad to keep it in place, then use tape to secure the gauze. You can tape over the fur a little, to help keep the bandage in place — just don’t tape too tightly. Be sure … Continue reading →

First Aid: Problems with Stitches

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Your pets will probably have to have stitches at some point in his or her life. Whether it is after an injury or after a surgery, nine times out of ten, your pet won’t have any problems. Occasionally, your pet’s body will have a reaction to the stitches. You may see the area around the stitches become red, swollen, and inflamed. A little reaction can be treated at home easily. Apply a hot compress. A certain amount of swelling is normal after a surgery and stitches. Using a hot, wet compress can help promote healing and help keep the area … Continue reading →

Aloe Vera

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Aloe has a long history! Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians all used the plant for both medicine and beauty. Rumor has it that Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra used aloe regularly for skin care. Over the year, the aloe vera plant has been called Burn Plant, Medicine Plant, and even the Plant of Life! Aloe can be separated into two basic parts: the clear gel that comes from the inner portion of the leaves and a latex or juice that comes from the skin of the leaves. Aloe gel is typically used for the treatment of minor burns and skin … Continue reading →

Scar Therapy

There’s a song on the radio that goes something like this: “Our scars remind us that the past is real.” But if you don’t want those weird physical reminders of an old injury or surgery, there are ways to help your body heal quickly and seamlessly. The number one thing you can do to help prevent ugly scars is act fast. If you can get a wound to close cleanly and quickly, you’ll be less likely to see a scar. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, you should see a doctor ASAP if the cut is bigger than … Continue reading →