How should I treat an open head wound on my dog until veterinary care is available?
My dog was just attacked by two pit bulls, and it's badly injured as you might suspect from such an attack, but there is one wound in particular that I do not know how to handle.
At the top of the head, near the neck, there's a bone-deep gash 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide (I'm pretty sure I see the bone clearly through the wound -- After consulting a veterinarian I found that this is not actually the bone, but the thin tissue /membrane that covers it. -- ). It's such a wide open cut, I'm not sure how to treat it.
I've treated the injuries with veterinarian-supplied spray for wounds, but there is no after-hours clinic anywhere near here, so I'll have to wait until 8 AM to bring the dog to be stitched up.
She's miserable but eating and drinking and she's near a heater, with food and water close.
Is there anything I should do for this severe wound that I have not already done?
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Disclaimer: I know little about dogs in particular.
First aid for cats and dogs is not dissimilar to first aid for humans. There will be differences in the specifics such as bandages and medicines, but in the immediate term you need to do the same things. In your instance the primary risks are of bleeding and shock.
Most of what your animal needs is therefore:
safety
the feeling of security
It sounds as though you've addressed the first by removing your dog from the danger, ensuring that any bleeding has been managed, the risk of infection has been addressed.
The second is covered by the facts that you have her somewhere quiet, safe and warm, you're with her, and food and water are available.
A quick google for "first aid for a dog" led me to these two sites as the top results:
www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=20 www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/Basic-Pet-First-Aid-Procedures.aspx
and they would hopefully alleviate your own concerns about whether there is anything else that you can do until you manage to get professional veterinary care.
Oh, and look after yourself, too - she needs you now more than ever.
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