Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog cut her leg. How do I treat it and should I bandage it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American English Coonhound | Female | spayed | 125 lbs

hi,my dog annie yesterday thought our glass door was open and ran and smashed through it she got about a 1 inch cut above her ancle and i would like to know how to take care of it and whether to keep it rapped up or not

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on August 17th, 2017

Keep the wound clean with solutions (twice daily) as suggested in the previous answer. Please post a picture of it so we can have a look at the severity of the cut and understand if needs to be stitched up or not. Best usually to keep it exposed rather than bandage it (healing usually is faster). If you have some, triple antibiotic ointments like Neosporin would work (do not allow her to lick it off). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 4th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would prevent licking with an E-collar or bandage. Licking can worsen infection or prevent healing. If the wound is deep I recommend having your Vet take a look to be sure Cadbury doesn’t need stitches or antiobiotics. You can always post a picture for us to view. If you bandage it, change it daily to every other dy and use a triple antibiotic ointment. I hope this helps!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 29th, 2018

    Best way to clean is to use betadine scrub or chlorhexidine (hibiclens) scrub. You can get these at any pharmacy or even online. I would clean the wound twice a day, rinse thoroughly, dry and then apply an antibiotic cream/ointment. If she tries to lick the wound you will need to get her a cone collar to stop that behavior. Licking will cause infection. I would not cover the wound with a bandage. Be aware that if it is a true puncture wound it may have pushed bacteria deep inside the tissues which can cause serious side effects (ie: botulism and tetanus)....... Monitor her closely and if the wound starts to smell badly, get very swollen, has a lot of discharge, etc you need to get her to a vet ASAP. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 18th, 2019

    This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a significant cut on her right front leg. Should I cover it up with gauze to prevent infection or just let her continue to clean it herself?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! I would prevent licking with an E-collar or bandage. Licking can worsen infection or prevent healing. If the wound is deep I recommend having your Vet take a look to be sure Cadbury doesn’t need stitches or antiobiotics. You can always post a picture for us to view. If you bandage it, change it daily to every other dy and use a triple antibiotic ointment. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has got a wound .A deep cut in the leg what should I do?
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dog hurt herself on the left paw, right where her shoulder bend is. Does this need stitches or can I treat it at home?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco. You can wash the are with mild soap and water, then dry it well. You can also apply a triple antibiotic ointment to the area once clean. Do not apply a bandage to the area. It should scab over in 24-48 hours. If it doesn't, or you see any green/yellow discharge, there is swelling, or there is pain, I would take Alika to a vet to make sure there isn't an infection. Good luck and kisses to Alika!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I’m unsure if I need to bring her into the emergency vet for stitches. Clean cut a little over an inch long.
It doesn't appear deep. If there is no active bleeding, clean it up with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. I see you have a triple antibiotic ointment. You can dab a bit on the area. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent pawing or rubbing. Monitor for lethargy, fever, bleeding, swelling, discharge or loss of appetite. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Bear came in from outside and had her wrist cut open just the top skin. Should i have her seen?
Poor Bear! If just the top layer of the skin has been cut, and it's not long or deep, you can treat it at home yourself. You can gently wash the cut with warm water and and antiseptic soap, and put a bandage over it. Make sure the bandage isn't so tight that it cuts off circulation I would not put neosporin or any topical ointment on it, as Bear might just try to lick it off, and it's not good for him to ingest that. I would keep him from licking at the wound, as that will introduce infection into the area. You may need to put an Ecollar on her to stop her from doing it, which you can get from a pet store. Monitor the cut for signs of infection, which include redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, and pus. If you see any of those signs, you will need to take her into the vet for antibiotics. Hopefully, it will heal fine without any problems :-)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 4yr. Old female chocolate lab was laying in the driveway this morning when my Nana ran her back leg over. I do not have the cash to take her to the vet. What do I do? Please help!
Hello, sorry to hear about Millie. That looks like a large wound which may not be able to be closed with primary closure (stitching it up). I would clean it thoroughly with iodine and bandage the leg for 1-3 weeks. You're going to need to change the bandages every day initially, then every 2-3 days. until its healed. If it doesn't become infected it may close on its own, but there is also a good chance that it may not. Your bandaging material should include a non-adhesive gauze pad, cotton wrap, roll gauze, and CoFlex or Coban wrap. All of which you can pick up at your pharmacy. Make sure the leg is completely dry before applying the bandage. Your bandage should incorporate from the toes to below the knee. Key points, clean the wound prior to bandaging the first time only, make sure the leg is dry prior to bandage, keep the bandage clean and dry, change the bandage every 2-3 days, make sure the bandage is not too tight. You may use some neosporin around the wound edges only. Best of lu
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How do I treat a small cut near my dog's eye? It's right below the right eyelid and it bled a little. There is a stray cat in the yard who might have done it.
Cleanse the wound with warm water or saline solution. You can either flush the wound (being careful to avoid the eye) or wipe the cut with a moistened gauze pad. Pat dry. Apply a thin film of a triple antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) twice daily. Monitor the wound for swelling, redness, or discharge. If you notice these signs, then you will need to have the wound looked at by your veterinarian. Most importantly, make sure your dog's rabies vaccination is up-to-date. If you are unsure or close to the due date, contact your veterinarian. Place an e-collar (cone) on him or her to prevent pawing, rubbing or scratching.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had a cut between some of her pads on her foot. she wouldn’t stop licking the paw, so we wrapped it up and put neosporin on it. She hasn’t bothered it since. Should we be concerned?
Small cuts can certainly heal without additional measures. Preventing licking is the first step! I would change the bandage daily. You want to make sure that the wound stays dry. This will also allow you to reapply the Neosporin and check for signs of infection. Signs of infection include swelling, reddness around the cut, or a creamy white or yellow discharge. If you see any of these things or if Kadi develops a limp, then she needs to see a vet for additional medications.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My border collie has somehow lacerated his R carpal pad. I noticed it yesterday when he had a slight limp. It has not bled, and no drainage present. However it seems to be about 1/2 inch deep and it’s severed about 75% of the top of the pad. I’ve bee
This should probably heal up just fine. Just keep it clean with the Hibiclens and apply the Neosporin twice a day. It is best to leave it open and not bandage it. If he is trying to lick it though, you need to get him a cone collar to wear. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Cappi has a cut on her behind. I can't get her into her usual vet so I want to know if there's anything I can do at home to treat the cut until she can get looked at.
It is hard to say without seeing a picture of the cut and seeing how bad it is. But in general, you can just about clean any cut with Betadine diluted 50:50 with water to keep it clean until it can be managed by your vet. You should not place any topical ointments on any cut that is more than a superficial wound. I hope that Cappi gets this wound treated for soon! Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored