Dog Have a Mouth Wound? 4 Steps to Treat the Injury
It's not unusual for dogs to get sores inside their mouths, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. Chewing on sticks, fighting with other dogs, even the occasional roughhousing can lead to mouth sores. Unfortunately, if not treated carefully, those mouth sores can become infected and lead to more serious complications. If your dog ended up with a cut in its mouth after its last romp in the yard, here are four steps you can take to alleviate the discomfort and prevent infection.
Clean the Wound
If your dog has a sore in its mouth, you'll need to keep the area clean. Keeping the wound clean will help prevent infection and speed up the healing process. The easiest way to keep the wound clean is to offer plenty of fresh water. The water will help wash away any debris that might be in the wound. If the wound is in an area that you can get to, such as the front lip, soak a soft cloth in warm water and wipe the wound off several times a day.
Provide Pain Relief
Sores inside the mouth can be quite painful. Unfortunately, pain can cause your dog to stop eating, which can lead to more serious complications. To alleviate the pain your dog is experiencing, be sure to apply topical anesthetic several times a day. You can use over-the-counter toothache remedies such as Anbesol. Simply dab a small amount of the ointment on to your finger and carefully rub it on the sore. Repeat the application as needed.
Relieve the Swelling
Mouth sores can become swollen. Severe swelling can cause difficulty swallowing, which can interfere with your dog's ability to eat or breathe properly. To help reduce the swelling, offer your dog ice throughout the day. Simply fill a bowl with crushed ice and allow your dog to lick it. Add fresh ice as needed.
Offer Soft Foods
If pain and swelling is making it difficult for your dog to eat, try introducing soft or liquid foods. Clear beef of chicken broth is a tasty way to get your dog to eat when it has a sore mouth. You can also try serving pureed baby food to your dog for a few days – especially the beef and chicken flavored varieties.
If your dog ended up with a sore mouth, use the suggestions provided above to help alleviate the pain and discomfort. If you notice a foul-smelling discharge coming from the wound, or your dog experiences severe pain, be sure to contact a veterinarian like those at Southwest Florida Veterinary Specialists & 24-Hour Emergency Hospital as soon as possible.
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