How to Take Care of a Tooth Puncture Wound on a Puppy
Tooth-puncture wounds are an urgent matter for a dog of any age. For puppies, these wounds can be particularly troublesome. The "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" says animal bites contain bacteria and are sometimes hard to find in the coat until an abscess forms. In puppies less than 12 weeks old, the immune system isn't ready to handle serious bacterial infections. Rabies is always a concern with bites; puppies have to be at least three months old to get the vaccine. And a wiggly puppy may be an uncooperative patient. Treatment is intensive, requiring both veterinary and owner care.
Instructions
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Initial First Aid
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1
Call your veterinarian or after-hours animal hospital immediately to arrange for treatment.
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2
Clean the punctured area. The American Animal Hospital Association says you can use regular water, but large amounts of saline or a balanced electrolyte solution are preferred options.
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3
Apply pressure to the wound if it's bleeding profusely.
Upon Returning Home
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4
Administer all prescribed antibiotics.
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5
Irrigate the site as directed with a vet-recommended solution. Puncture wounds need to heal from the inside out. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, your vet may suture a drain into the area, which makes flushing easier.
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6
Prevent the puppy from licking the drainage site. AAHA says the vet may recommend that your pup wear a special collar designed for this purpose.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Remember that some antibiotics require an empty stomach, and some require that you give them to a dog with food. Be clear on the instructions regarding any medications.
Get a second pair of hands, if possible, to help calm a puppy when you're irrigating the wound or administering antibiotics.
Always have a first aid kit handy, as well as the phone numbers of your vet and local after-hours veterinary hospital.
Make sure your pup gets its rabies shot as soon as it's old enough.
The "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" says signs that your puppy's wound is not healing properly include increased warmth, redness and swelling of the injured site. Contact your vet without delay.
