Paw Scrapes Are Awful: Here’s How to Deal With Them

 

Pets rely on their paws to stay active and healthy. The paw pads are generally adequate, but accidents such as cuts, burns, scrapes and other abrasions are bound to happen. The risk is even higher for puppies, whose paws are especially tender.

Pet parents can follow these tips to treat paw ailments — and get their pet back on all fours in no time:

Determine the Severity
There are many hazards that can injure a pet’s paw. Rough surfaces such as gravel can slice through the paw padding, while hot concrete can cause burns. Sticks and bushes can cause cuts. In other cases, pets are their own worst enemies. Pets that lick or gnaw on their paws can cause cuts and cracking.

The first treatment step is to determine the severity of the injury. Go to the veterinarian for deep cuts or more serious injuries. If the wound is superficial, try these simple treatments:

Home Remedies 101

Step 1: Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with cool water or a diluted saline solution. An Epsom salt soak is another option to soothe an animal’s pain. Be careful not to rub the wound. For pets suffering from paw burns, apply an ice pack to the burn, or run the affected paw under cool water.

Step 2: Once the paw is dry, apply an antibacterial ointment.

Step 3: Bandage the paw with gauze or a pet bandage wrap. For added protection, cover the bandage with a loose sock or a pet bootie, though be sure not to secure the cover too tightly as it could restrict blood circulation.

Clean the bandages daily, and monitor the wound closely. If it isn’t healing properly, or if the wound becomes infected, the next stop should be a vet for an expert opinion.

Copyright © 2017 Aon Hong Kong Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This article is intended for general information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. It should not be construed as advice or opinions on any specific facts or circumstances. The content of this article is made available on an “as is” basis, without any warranty of any kind, express or implied, including as to accuracy, completeness or otherwise at the time of initial publication or thereafter. To the extent permitted by law, Aon disclaims any responsibility or liability to any person or organization for any loss or damage caused by or resulting from any reliance placed on that content whatsoever. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way or by any means, including photocopying or recording, without the written permission of the copyright holder, application for which should be addressed to the copyright holder.

HappyTails Insurance is underwritten by MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Ltd and arranged by Aon Hong Kong Ltd.