How Should I Treat Burns And Scalds In My Dog?

Does your dog have first-degree burns, where the skin is burned but still intact?

Has your dog been burned by hot liquids or objects?

Has your dog been burned by chemicals?

Restrain the dog and cool the burned area as quickly as possible. You can do this with a gentle stream of cold water in the bath or from a shower attachment. The quicker you cool the area, the less damage will be done. Once the area has been flushed with water, apply a cold compress for twenty minutes - using something like a bag of frozen vegetables - then cover the area with a non-stick bandage. Contact your vet for advice on further treatment.

Wearing rubber gloves to avoid being burned, remove any contaminated collars, clothing, or harness. Flush the affected area with cold water for 20 minutes, making sure you don’t spread the chemicals and burn other areas. You can use a mild shampoo or detergent or, in the case of a known acid burn, baking soda (a teaspoon per pint of water). If the burn is in the mouth, lie the dog on his side and pour cool water through the mouth a cupful at a time or use a garden hose for a constant, cool flow. Once flushed with water, cover superficial burns with a non-stick bandage, and contact your vet for advice on further treatment.

If your dog got burned by electricity from electrical equipment or power cords, make sure that the electricity is turned off and unplugged before touching the dog. After you make sure that the surrounding is safe, restrain the dog and cool the burned area as quickly as possible. You can do this with a gentle stream of cold water in the bath or from a shower attachment. The quicker you cool the area, the less damage will be done. Once the area has been flushed with water, apply a cold compress for twenty minutes - using something like a bag of frozen vegetables - then cover the area with a non-stick bandage. Contact your vet for advice on further treatment.

For second-degree and third-degree burns of any kind, where the skin is either partially or fully burned through, follow these guidelines: Check for signs of shock and treat them as a priority. Apply a clean, dry dressing to the burned area. Be careful to avoid using loose-fibered textiles such as cotton - the threads will stick to the wound and cause more problems. Wrap the dressed area with clean, torn sheets and take the dog to the vet immediately.