How to Treat a Dog With Chemical Burns on the Skin & Nails

Dogs can get burns on the skin and nails of their paws from many sources. Chemical burns from spilled gasoline, concentrated herbicide, pesticide, or other household chemical can be especially damaging to the skin and surrounding nail bed. If your energetic dog just ran through something he shouldn't have, take care of his paws immediately so that a serious chemical burn does not set in.

Things You'll Need

• Dog shampoo
• Water
• Gloves
• Gauze
• First aid tape
• Elizabethan dog collar

Instructions

1. Rinse the paw with water. Do this for at least 10 minutes, thoroughly rinsing the affected area and the surrounding skin. Wear gloves to protect yourself.

2. Bathe your dog. You want to wash your dog completely to make sure none of the chemical remains. Keep your gloves on for this step.

3. Inspect the paw's skin and nails to see how bad the injury is. Call your vet for further advice. For minor burns, you can probably treat your dog at home, but you should call your vet for advice first.

4. Apply a gauze bandage on your dog's paw. Wrap the paw with the gauze and then cover that with a layer of first aid tape.

5. Put on the medical dog collar to prevent your dog from taking off the bandage or chewing the injured skin and nails. If your dog seems to be leaving the bandage alone, he may not need the collar.

References

• Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook; Debra M. Eldredge D.V.M.,et al.; 2007
• Merck Veterinary Manual; Susan E. Aiello, B.S., D.V.M., E.L.S.; 1997