cure burns in dogs

Content

• What is a burn?
• Causes of dog burns
• How to act on a burn in our dog, treat and cure it
• Advice on preventing burns

If you have a dog you will certainly be interested in this article by Animal Expert where we bring you a topic of first aid, cure dog burns.

Did you know that dogs can burn not only with fire? Do you know what types of burns you can suffer? Or how to cure them? And, above all, how to prevent them?

We hope that you never need to do what we're going to explain below due to a burn in your pet, but if that happens, we want to help!

What is a burn?

the burns are lesions produced on the skin of an animal due to the action of some type of agent that may have produced them, such as heat, radiation, chemicals, electricity or even cold. These injuries happen due to total dehydration of the skin layers which come off. This is a very painful injury and the consequences of a burn not properly treated can range from infection to the animal's death. Therefore, if our dog gets burned, in any way, it is very important to stay calm and act effectively, preventing the burn from spreading and increasing its severity.

We can classify burns into different types depending on their cause:

• Scalds: when they are injuries produced by hot or boiling liquids.
• Corrosions: If they are produced by corrosive chemicals.
• Electrical burns: if they are produced by electricity.
• Radionecrosis or radiation burns: If produced by ionizing radiation, such as x-rays or gamma rays from the sun.
• Freezes: If they are produced by excessive cold.
• Burns from fire or contact with hot material: when coming into contact with hot metal surfaces or directly with flame or fire.

In addition, burn injuries differ and aggravate according to the amount of surface of the body burned and according to their depth.

The degrees of burns are:

1. First degree: First-degree burns are the lightest, most superficial and usually heal well in a week or so. They are easy to treat and their symptoms are redness of the skin, a sensation of swelling and burning, and lack of skin in the affected area. They are the only burns we can really heal at home without much worry, the rest of the grades require urgent veterinary attention.
2. High school: These burns are deeper and more painful than first-degree burns. In addition to the symptoms of first-degree burns, second-degree burns have fluid blisters. They usually take about three weeks to cure and are relatively easy to cure.
3. Third degree: Third degree burns are the deepest, most painful, most difficult to heal and even fatal depending on the affected surface and region. In this case, the skin burns completely and the burn reaches the body fat layer. The skin becomes dry, singed and hardened once it has completely dehydrated. There may be reddened skin around it that will be very painful because the nerve endings are still active, but the center of the burn will be black and actually not painful because the nerve endings have been completely destroyed. Treatment and scarring is painful and deformities may remain.
4. fourth degree: This degree is the deepest, as the burn reaches the muscle, including the bone and internal organs. Carbonization and necrosis of the skin, body fat layer, musculature and bones take place. Obviously, as it is worse than third-degree burns, it is more complicated to treat and there may be unconsciousness due to pain and even death, depending on the amount of surface and region affected. Treatment and scarring are painful and can lead to deformities.

In the case of any burn, but especially in the case of the most serious, there is risk of shock and infection. The shock caused by burns happens because an injury of this type causes the blood circulation to go out, the transcutaneous loss of energy in the form of heat and significant loss of water, in addition to the entry of infection and all of this produces what is called a syndrome or shock by burn that occurs with severe changes in metabolic balance and cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic and renal functions. when an animal enters this state its possibilities are very slim.

In addition, the most common degrees of burns in dogs and cats are the first and second degrees, but in the case of dogs, if the body has a surface of 30% of second degree burns or 50% of second degree burns. third or fourth degree, there is much hope that you can get over this accident without going through extreme pain. This often causes, at this point, to apply euthanasia, thus avoiding the suffering they may have.

Dogs are much more likely to get burns because they are so much more active and inquisitive. We often find dogs wandering around, nibbling on electrical cables or cleaning product packages that can contain corrosive agents that cause a burn.

Causes of dog burns

As we saw earlier, there are several ways a dog can get burned. Below we explain the main causes, what happens and some symptoms:

• boiling liquids: Sometimes, while we are cooking, our dog likes to keep us company and waits for something delicious to come out to eat. If you eat something that has come straight out of the pan, it will most likely scald your mouth, but with plenty of water, it will most likely pass in a short time. in addition, we can trip over it or it can put its paws in the area of ​​the kitchen fire, attracted by the smell of the food and thus produce the spillage of water, oil, broth, milk or other boiling liquids on it, with oil being the most serious case .
• Prolonged sun exposure: Produces sunburns, also called radiation burns. Many dogs love the heat and spend hours lying in the sun, running, playing, sleeping or doing any activity. As in people, too much sun can cause burns, long-term skin damage and even skin cancer in dogs. Special care must be taken with light-skinned dogs such as Bull Terriers, Dalmatians and Samoyeds. We must also bear in mind that the denser the fur and the longer it is, the more protected it will be from the sun. Therefore, those with fair or pink skin and short fur are more prone to sunburn. Due to the regions with less hair, the most affected areas are the muzzle, the tips of the ears and the belly. Also more prone to these burns are the muzzle of dogs of breeds in which the muzzle and root are slightly pigmented and pink, such as Border Collies. In fact, those that are perhaps more prone to skin problems and sunburn are dogs that have a naked or semi-naked body, that is, those that have no fur, such as the hairless dog of Peru or the Dog. of chinese crest. Finally, dogs with recent scars and therefore no skin in the area of ​​new and weak skin, also have a great facility to burn in the sun.
• embers of a bonfire: Sometimes we go camping and when the fire goes out the embers are still hot with which our dog can accidentally burn the paras. in principle it is a first-degree light burn because the dog's reaction will be to move the paws away quickly. We must remove the animal from the fire area and immediately refresh the paws with plenty of cold water and wait for it to calm down. Your skin must have turned red and shiny.
• biting electrical cables: In this case, electrocution and burns occur in the mouth. Depending on the amount of electricity discharged into the animal, the burn will be greater or less, the most worrying being the loss of a good part of the muzzle due to third-degree burns or internal burns that are difficult to detect. In addition, breathing difficulties, dizziness and unconsciousness may appear.
• Cleaning products with corrosives and caustic chemicals: Sometimes we can spill some chemical in the house that we use for cleaning or other household tasks. If our pet comes into contact with these liquids or powders and gets burned, the severity of the burn will totally depend on the amount of substance that falls on the animal or that it ingests, the type of substance and the time that this substance remains in contact with your body. We must think that dogs are very curious and if they are growing teeth they can bite anything that comes to them.
• Asphalt or earth too hot: Sometimes we walk our dog in the hottest hours without thinking that the floor might be on fire. We are not aware of this because we are wearing shoes, but our pets walk directly on their pillows, which can burn on asphalt, stone or too hot earth. Note that if this happens the dog will look for shade and will not walk. Your pillows are reddish, shiny and very hot.
• Freezing: When we have too much time outdoors in winter or when we go on an excursion to the snow, our furry companion runs the risk of freezing some of his parts. These parts more prone to frostbite are the extremities of the body such as the ears, nose, tail, paws and above all, the pads of the paws that are in direct contact with snow or cold. You can see that in this situation the dog refuses to walk, the pads of the paws are red, the skin is shiny and extremely cold.

How to act on a burn in our dog, treat and cure it

Of course, prevention is always more effective and preferable than whining and having to treat a burn. But, knowing how to act in the face of a burn in our pet is essential to provide him with the first aid he needs and to avoid possible unwanted consequences such as infection, shock and even death.

Below, we show you some steps you should take to treat all types of burns in our dogs:

1. Lower skin temperature: Wet the affected region or the whole dog with plenty of cold water. In the case of frostbite burns, for example on pads and paws, we must do the opposite and raise the temperature. First, remove the dog from the cold area and take it to a warm place. Wrap your paws with cloths soaked in hot water that you should remove and wet again whenever they cool or dry. You must change the temperature gradually to avoid thermal shocks.
2. Remove waste: With the same cold water bath, if you see remains of the product that caused the dog to burn, gently remove them. Do the same with any loose skin debris. In principle, with plenty of water, these residues come out on their own, but if you see that they resist, very gently with your fingers you can rub the surface to help eliminate them.
3. contact the veterinarian: This should be done by two people, while bathing the dog the other person can call the vet. It will help to calm down, and will give indications depending on the origin of the burn, the area and the severity.
4. Healing cream, antibiotic or moisturizer: If the veterinarian doesn't tell us otherwise, we can, after a good cleaning, administer a thin layer of moisturizing, antibiotic or healing cream so that it starts to soothe the pain and heal the burn. Furthermore, the skin will be protected from air and possible contamination.It is very important that you do not apply any commercial moisturizing cream with alcohol and scents, as this can worsen the dog's burn.
5. aloe vera: If we don't have any moisturizing cream on hand, maybe you have aloe vera. Break off a sheet and remove the gel and with your fingers, gently apply over our companion's burn.
6. Cover with sterile gauze: Again, if the veterinarian does not tell us otherwise, you can cover the burned area with a sterile, moistened gauze without pressing it. This will prevent possible environmental contamination of the wound, such as those caused by insects, which usually surround the wounds.
7. at the veterinarian: Once you get to the veterinarian, he will have to do a thorough inspection of the animal and its burn. This way you will be able to offer the most adequate treatment according to the type of burn you have to treat. Certainly, part of the treatment will be the administration of pain relievers for the pain of the burns. Depending on the severity of the burn, fluids may be given intravenously to rehydrate the dog. we must put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent him from licking or scratching the burn wounds.
8. severe burns: If with the naked eye we can already see that the burn is serious, you should only apply a cold water bath, preferably without moving the animal from its place. Then call the veterinarian, since with creams or gauze you won't be able to solve anything. In this case it is very important to act quickly and let the veterinarian do everything possible to save the dog.

Important to take into account before treating a burn in a dog:

• Electrocutions: We must quickly turn off the electric current and move the animal away from the cable without touching it, since we can also be electrocuted. Wear rubber gloves, a stick or a wooden chair, but never anything metallic.
• Freezing: We must quickly move the dog to a warm place and cover it with a blanket, in addition to covering the frozen parts with a cloth wet with hot water (it must not be boiling), to regulate the body temperature. Then go to the veterinarian.
• Corrosive cleaning products: In this case, wash immediately with plenty of water to remove the product and, in case of ingestion, never induce vomiting because corrosive agents can harm the dog even more. What you should do is give him milk and if he doesn't drink, give it with a syringe.
• Ice: It is not advisable to use ice to lower the burn temperature. But if you use it, never apply it directly to the skin to lower the temperature, this can cause a second extreme cold burn. If using ice, cover the ice well with a thick cloth that gradually releases the cold.

Advice on preventing burns

Let's comment what can we do to prevent any of these burns discussed above. All indications must be applied to any dog ​​of any breed and any age, but we must be more careful with puppies because they are still unaware of various dangers and are very curious, and besides they are more fragile than an adult dog.

• We should always keep them away from the kitchen when the stove is on and liquids are boiling.
• Avoid giving or letting them take food directly from the fire so they don't scald their mouth and tongue.
• Try to have the cables tucked behind furniture or hidden so that it is difficult or impossible for them to touch or bite you.
• Cleaning products should be stored in taller cabinets and not at floor height.
• When going on a trip, on a tour, etc., you should stop and rest. Give your dog water and some shade.
• Water and shade must always be guaranteed. Never leave your pet in the garden for several hours without access to water or shade.
• You should also try not to walk too far in the sun and look for shaded paths.
• Avoid asphalts or dirt that are excessively hot and could burn the dog's paws. It is completely inadvisable to take long walks during the hottest hours.
• Don't let it get too close to the fires.
• Apply special sun cream for dogs, which you can buy in specialized stores and veterinary clinics, in case your dog's physical condition requires this measure (pink snout, white skin, no hair, etc.). Consult your veterinarian on this point.
• In the snow you should keep an eye on your pads or, if the dog lets you, use special protectors for the paws (boots, creams, etc).

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.