How Can I Treat Puncture Wounds in Dogs?

Has your dog suffered an animal bite?

Is your dog's chest punctured?

Is your dog's abdomen punctured and internal organs are exposed?

Has your dog suffered from splinters?

Has your dog suffered a gunshot?

Has your dog suffered a wound from an arrow?

Make sure the dog cannot harm you – he may be excited, in pain, or panicking. If the dog’s chest is punctured, cover the wound with a clean, damp cloth and bandage the chest tightly enough to seal it. Check for signs of shock. Perform CPR (if needed) and take the dog to a vet immediately.

Make sure the dog cannot harm you – he may be excited, in pain, or panicking. If the abdomen is punctured and internal organs are exposed, don’t let the dog lick at them. Wash the exposed organs immediately in clean water if you can. Use a warm, damp sheet to wrap the dog’s abdomen and take it to a vet urgently.

Make sure the dog cannot harm you – he may be excited, in pain, or panicking. If a muscle has been punctured, clean it with water. Watch for signs of shock and keep the dog warm while you get immediate veterinary assistance.

Calm the dog. Restrain and/or muzzle it, if necessary. Do not put yourself at risk if the dog is panicking, excited, or in pain. Wash the affected area with warm, soapy water. Use tweezers to remove the splinter. Wash the affected area again, either with warm, soapy water or a disinfectant. Contact your vet to check for tetanus.

Calm the dog. Restrain and/or muzzle it, if necessary. Do not put yourself at risk if the dog is panicking, excited, or in pain. Treat bleeding and other obvious effects immediately. Only bandage a wound if it is in the chest, if it is bleeding profusely, or if there’s still an object lodged in the dog’s body. Check for a shock. Take the dog to a vet immediately.

Calm the dog. Restrain and/or muzzle it, if necessary. Do not put yourself at risk if the dog is panicking, excited, or in pain. Do not pull the arrow out. Instead, cut the shaft about two inches (five centimeters) from the body and bandage the entry point tightly to keep the arrow from moving. Check for a shock. Take the dog to a vet immediately.

If your dog has suffered a wound from porcupine quills if possible, take the dog to a vet immediately. Ideally, quills should be removed by a vet, under anesthesia. If this is not possible and there are only a few quills embedded, you can remove them using long-nosed pliers. Before removing the quills calm the dog. Restrain and/or muzzle it, if necessary. Do not put yourself at risk if the dog is panicking, excited, or in pain. Pull each quill individually, following the angle of entry. Contact your vet to check for tetanus.