My dog got into a fight with another dog, is it okay to use hydrogen peroxide to clean his wound?

Answer 1

In the care of wounds, the two most important objectives are first to stop the bleeding, and then to prevent infection. Since wounds are painful to the dog, be prepared to restrain or muzzle before you treat the wound.

Treating the Wound

All wounds are contaminated with dirt and bacteria. Proper care and handling will prevent some infections. Before handling a wound, make sure your hands and instruments are clean. Starting at the edges of a fresh wound, clip the hair back to enlarge the area. Cleanse the edges of the wound with a damp gauze or pad. Irrigate the wound with clean tap water. Apply antibiotic ointment.

Older wounds with a covering of pus and scab are cleansed with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or a surgical soap. Blot dry. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage as described below.

Dressings over infected wounds should be changed frequently to aid in the drainage of pus, and to allow you to apply fresh ointment.

Fresh lacerations over one-half inch long should be sutured to prevent infection, minimize scarring and speed healing. Wounds over twelve hours old are quite likely to be infected. Suturing is questionable.

Bites are heavily contaminated wounds. Often they are puncture wounds. They are quite likely to get infected. They should not be sutured. Antibiotics are indicated.

With all animal bites, the possibility of rabies should be kept in mind.

Answer 2

This is definitely something you should see your veterinarian about. Depending on how severe the wound, there could be possible damage not only to the outer skin layers, but possible muscle and nerve damage. Since this is painful for your dog make sure you handle him/her gently. Do what you can to stop any bleeding. Call the vet before heading over there so they can expect your arrival.
If you feel you must clean the wound yourself use warm water and non-fragranced soap. Flush wound with plain warm water. Using a cloth or gauze with warm water and soap gently wipe away any other debris. DO NOT RUB. Go to vet for further evaluation and better sterilization of wound. Plus dog will probably need antibiotics and possible stitches. Also there's always the risk of rabies and other diseases spread through animal bites. Good luck!

Answer 3

Actually, Betadine solution is the preferred for animals and humans. Find at most any drugstore, Walmart, etc.
Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can burn and irritate the skin cells and the wound does not heal/close up as well. I haven't had a wound cleaned with anything but Betadine in years(ER).

Keep cleaned with Betadine for several days, can actually pour it over the wound. If it is a puncture from a tooth there is more risk infection. Keep a close eye. A neosporin ointment should be applied also.

Be advised that this is for immediate first aid! If there are multiple wounds, deep, gashes then needs to be seen, possibly stitches. Oral antibiotics to prevent infection.

Please maintain your dog better to prevent this from happening. Accidents do happen, once!

Answer 4

If the wound is superficial (on the surface and not too deep), yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide. Remember that this solution will cause a chemical reaction (heat and bubbling) on the dog's wound and that it may be painful for the animal. (You may have to muzzle your dog before using it.) Sometimes, we use a 50% water/ HP solution to the chemical reaction isn't so severe and then follow that up with Neosporin to help the wound heal.

If the wound is deep, clean it with soap and water and get your dog to a vet so the wound can be stitched shut properly.

Answer 5

Yeah you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound. The pet store sells and cream that you can put on it that not allow kills the germs but heals it too.

Answer 6

Yes, it is fine to use once or twice on a single wound. Do not use it to clean the wound daily, because it can do damage to nerve and skin cells. Use soap and water after the first time.

Have the vet check it. If it was the other dog owner's fault, the owner should be willing to cover expenses. Typically not more than $60 unless stitches are needed.

Answer 7

No, you did the responsible thing, and kudos for knowing your dog well enough to attempt to protect him. As someone who has a dog with aggression issues, I can assure you that the only thing you can control is you and your dog. You shouldn't put yourselves in dangerous situations, you should make sure you are in control and alert at all times. But it sounds like you were in control. And you did, in fact, warn the woman. Yet she allowed her dog to intrude on your dog's space. And the time before, when your dog was on leash and her pug was off, was most certainly asking for trouble. If she didn't know better before, she should know better now. If she tried to accuse you of something, explain that you have done your best to control your dog, but if she allows her dog to run up and jump in his face, that is her fault. Be polite but firm if she says otherwise, you don't want your buddy being labeled a dangerous dog, it could have legal and financial implications in the future.

Answer 8

I don't know, but my dog got in a fight last week and I put peroxide on the wound and he just licked it right off. I asked a friend who is a nurse and she made a weird face like I done something wrong.

Answer 9

Yes it is safe to use and will sting less than alcohol (so less chance of you being bitten). Watch your dog for any signs of odd behavior or pain and see your vet if you see anything odd. Also, is your dog current on all shots and was the dog that bit yours vaccinated? I would say a vet trip may be the best bet if you aren't sure of the answer to those questions. Hope your pup is on the mend soon.

Answer 10

Yes, it is perfectly OK. I have used peroxide on my dog's wounds before and the only problems it presents are the dog wanting to lick the peroxide up (it won't hurt him), and the peroxide turned my black lab's fur red around the wound for a few weeks.