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a little scrape



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 16th 05, 02:45 AM
fatbak
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Default a little scrape

This seems like a ridiculous question, but what's the right thing to do
for a minor abrasion? Let the dog lick it or not?

Zoot scraped her front leg the other day. It's not large - just 1/2 inch
in diameter or so and it's healing nicely. She was licking it constantly
at first, so she's been wearing the Cone of Sorrow (aka Elizabethan
collar) for a couple of days. We're also applying a little bit of Burt's
Bees comfrey ointment (sweet almond oil, olive oil, beeswax, wheat germ
oil, vitamin E, comfrey leaf) twice a day.

It got me wondering - is the scrape is healing so well because we're not
letting her lick it? Would it heal faster or slower if she was able to
get to it? She would love to be rid of the Cone. Of course we would not
apply any kind of ointment if we allow her to lick it.

Thanks,
Irene
http://www.good-night-irene.com
  #2  
Old January 16th 05, 04:10 PM
David Sherman
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Default

My feeling (totally unresearched) is that your dog really can't do any harm
by licking. Since it's healing I think you can take off the cone. If she
picks at the scab and reopens the wound you should use the cone. Otherwise
I don't think you need it for minor cuts and scrapes.

When the cut is fresh you should keep it clean. Your vet can suggest an
anti bacterial cleaner you can use. Burt's Ointment is fine. You can even
use Bacitracin to help it heal.

fatbak wrote on 1/15/05 8:45 PM:

This seems like a ridiculous question, but what's the right thing to do
for a minor abrasion? Let the dog lick it or not?

Zoot scraped her front leg the other day. It's not large - just 1/2 inch
in diameter or so and it's healing nicely. She was licking it constantly
at first, so she's been wearing the Cone of Sorrow (aka Elizabethan
collar) for a couple of days. We're also applying a little bit of Burt's
Bees comfrey ointment (sweet almond oil, olive oil, beeswax, wheat germ
oil, vitamin E, comfrey leaf) twice a day.

It got me wondering - is the scrape is healing so well because we're not
letting her lick it? Would it heal faster or slower if she was able to
get to it? She would love to be rid of the Cone. Of course we would not
apply any kind of ointment if we allow her to lick it.

Thanks,
Irene
http://www.good-night-irene.com


  #3  
Old January 18th 05, 01:31 PM
Jo Wolf
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Default

Bacitracin ointment is what I'd use. The routine the vet suggested was
to clean the scrape with soap and water, then rinse and blot dry or air
dry (can even use a hair dryer set on warm or cold to speed this up if
you got a lot of hair wet). Apply a thin layer of Bacitracin and keep
the dog occupied for about 20 minutes to give the medication a chance to
work. Do this twice a day. The drug is safe for dogs. It is Not safe
for cats. Unless the dog starts obsessive licking of the wound, don't
bother with the collar.

The Burt's ointment would be most useful for preventing thin new skin
from getting dry and itchy. It could be applied starting as the scab
begins to come off.

Jo Wolf
Martinez, Georgia

 




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