Does your Pet have a Wound or Abrasion?

Symptom Definition

Wounds come in many different forms ranging from superficial abrasions or scrapes, punctures, bites, to major degloving wounds. The need for emergency response and treatment is based on the severity of the wound. We will divide wounds into broad categories to help clarify recommendations.

Superficial abrasions, scrapes

Punctures, including bite wounds from other animals

Degloving and massive wounds

Superficial abrasions
Superficial abrasions are injuries to the skin anywhere on the body surface that doesn’t break through to the deeper tissues. Examples include rug burn, blisters, scrapes, and bruises. These never need stitches and rarely need to be seen by a veterinarian. Torn toe nails will often fit into this category as well.

Punctures and bite wounds
Puncture wounds are most commonly associated with bite wounds from another animal. They can also occur from plants or metals that animals injure themselves on while running through fields or wooded areas or jumping into rivers and ponds. Potential complications from puncture wounds include infection and retained pieces of the foreign object. Infection is commonly associated with bite wounds, especially cat bites.

Degloving and Massive wounds
Degloving wounds are a severe type of injury in which the top layers of skin and tissue are torn away from the underlying muscle and body wall. This creates a flap and can be small or large. The degree of separation from the body wall can cause serious complications and these injuries always need immediate medical attention.

When to Act

Contact Emergency Care if:

Deep puncture wounds that may go into the chest or abdomen
Bite wounds from animals
Bleeding from a wound that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of applied pressure and ice
Tip of an object is broken off and left within the body
Puncture over a joint
Degloving or massive wounds

Non Emergent

Call your family veterinarian within 24 hours or seek out Urgent Care if:

Pain from a wound isn’t subsiding
Pet won’t stand on the affected limb
Your pet develops a fever
You have other questions or concerns
Bruising appears without a known cause for the bruise

Care Advice

Most superficial abrasions and some puncture wounds can safely be managed at home. First, clean the wound by washing it with warm water. Continue to rinse the wound for several minutes until all visible debris is removed. Utilize a cone (or e-collar) to prevent your pet from licking or scratching at the wound. Most of these wounds will heal and pain will resolve within a few hours.