Abrasion management

Time and time again, a dog owner has to deal with the injuries sustained by the pet. Dog owners are aware of the boundless energies of their pets. As such, dogs are often injured. Dogs are injured from dog fights. Dogs would not mind going into thorny thicket and to run at top speed to follow a prey. You can practically hear the screeching of the feet when the dog attempts to break the speed. Every dog owner will be faced with the need to deal with the injuries sustained by the pet. Dogs would limp because of thorns embedded on the paws. Sharp tree branches can pierce the skin of the dog. Dogs sustain various injuries and the pet would be lucky if an accident only results to minor abrasion.

Abrasion is a minor scrape on the outer layer of the dog's skin. Abrasion is not really common in dogs because the skin is protected by fur . Dogs though are very active animals and it would not be unheard of if the top layer of the skin gets injured from being rubbed against hard and rough surfaces. The upper layer of the dog's skin will be abraded if it is rubbed against rough and hard surfaces. A dog hit and dragged by a car would have abraded skin. Abrasion can also be caused when a tight collar continuously rubs the neck area of the dog. A dog that mutilates itself can also cause superficial damage to the outer layer of the skin. External parasite infestation and boredom will make the dogpersistently gnaw and lick until the upper layer of the skin is abraded.

Abrasion is usually not a serious health concern. Because abrasions normally do not damage the tissues under the skin, the bleeding would be minimal. Normally, abrasions do not result to scarring as the subcutaneous layers of the skin are not affected. First aid treatment for abrasion will be necessary to prevent the wound from getting infected. Moreover, even a superficial wound would be painful for the dog.

First aid treatment must be administered to the abraded skin of the dog. Clip the fur away from the affected skin. Dog's fur on the wound would delay the healing process. Use saline solution to clean the wound. If none is available a solution can be made by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in 2 cups of water. All dirt must be flushed away from the wound.

An antibiotic cream can be applied to the wound three times a day. No bandaging is necessary for small abrasions. However, abrasions on the feet have to be protected with a non-stick dressing to prevent infection from setting in.