How to Treat Dog Skin Lacerations & Hair That's Falling Off
A dog's health concerns can be stressful to you, the owner. Lacerations can vary in severity and happen to even the most careful dog owner. And alopecia, or hair loss, can occur for a number of reasons. Knowing how to treat these conditions can help you and your vet choose the proper course of action for your dog's particular situation. Plus, knowing the options will help you be prepared for the unexpected.
Things You'll Need
- Cloth
- Sterile bandage
- Flea treatment
- Medications
- Elizabethan collar
- Steroid treatments
Instructions
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Lacerations
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1
Contact your vet to determine if an examination is necessary. Minor lacerations can develop infection and your vet may want to evaluate the injury.
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2
Have another person hold the dog still while you clean the wound and remove any debris or foreign objects from the wound. This will help prevent infection of the wound.
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3
Use a clean cloth or rag to apply pressure to the laceration to help control the bleeding.
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4
Use a clean, sterile bandage to cover the laceration. This keeps further debris from entering the wound and causing infection. If your vet recommends a topical ointment, this would be the time to apply it.
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5
Change the bandage daily. During this time, check to ensure there are no signs of infection, such as red, swollen skin or heat radiating from the wound. If you notice a sign of infection, contact the vet immediately.
Alopecia
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6
Determine the reason your dog's hair is falling out. If the cause is not evident, such as excessive chewing due to fleas or parasites such as ringworm, contact your vet for a thorough medical exam.
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7
Treat the underlying cause. Treatment will vary depending on the cause. If your dog has a flea infestation or allergy, give him a flea bath or use a topical flea treatment. If your dog has a food or environmental allergy, remove the allergen. If he has a parasite, such as roundworm, use the appropriate medication prescribed by your vet.
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8
Limit the ability to lick the area. An Elizabethan collar, also known as an e-collar, can be purchased at your local pet store. This will prevent your dog from licking irritated areas and furthering the hair loss.
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9
Provide your dog with a steroid treatment to alleviate itching, if recommended by your vet. Sometimes severe itching can be relieved by steroid injections, usually administered by the vet.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you can tell there is major damage or the wound is very deep, take your dog directly to the vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately, instead of calling.
Complete all prescribed medications, even if the condition improves. If your vet has prescribed oral or topical medications and treatment is stopped before the medication is complete, the underlying problem can redevelop.
Use caution when treating a laceration on your dog. When a dog is pain, even the most gentle dog can become aggressive.
References
- Photo Credit dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com
