Can You Use Neosporin On Dogs

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can you put neosporin on dogs

Through your dog’s lifetime, he is likely to get some wounds and you may have to make a quick decision on how to treat it. The topical antibiotic Neosporin is excellent for minor scratches, cuts and scrapes as it speeds up the healing process. But can you use neosporin on dogs? This appears to be a strange question as Neosporin is known to heal wounds quickly. This question arises because dogs have the propensity to lick wounds or bruises. This is a natural instinct as the enzymes found in the dog’s saliva helps in the healing process. If you apply the antibiotic to the wound, your dog may ingest some as it licks the cut.

Can You Use Neosporin On Dogs – Yes, In Some Cases

can you use neosporin on dogs

Neosporin should not be ingested. If your dog’s cut is somewhere where your pet can easily lick it, he may ingest the neosporin. You can try to bandage the area, however most dogs would rip the bandage off pretty quickly. You may be required to use a cone in order to prevent your dog to lick the medicine off the affected area.

However, there is a better alternative to neosporin which is specifically designed for pets. You may want to buy [easyazon_link identifier=”B00425DZTM” locale=”US” tag=”frtp-20″]Vetericyn skin and wound spray[/easyazon_link] instead.

How Will I Know If My Dog Is Injured?

If your dog is injured, the first sign you may observe would be the bleeding. The wound may be large or small, and it may be superficial or deep. You may have to examine your dog to find out where it is if it is not visible at a glance. You may also know that your dog has hurt himself if you observe any unusual behavior such as a limp. There is also a possibility that is no limp or bleeding, but your dog may just be inactive and lay quietly in his bed or kennel. In any of these situations, your instincts are likely to make you realize that something is wrong.

How Serious Is The Wound?

You do need to establish whether the wound is a serious one or not. Neosporin is used only in situations where the wound is minor. Serious lacerations or cuts must of course be dealt with by the vet. The decision about whether to manage the wound yourself or take your dog to the vet is likely to be intuitive. The vet is also likely to apply Neosporin or another similar ointment to the wound but he is also likely to cover the wound up carefully to prevent the dog from licking it.

If The Cut Is Superficial

Superficial scrapes or cuts will most often heal themselves in time. However, it is very important to clean the wound thoroughly to prevent the occurrence of an infection. Covering it up with a bandage is not likely to be very useful as the dog will most probably take it off. Applying Neosporin or another antibiotic cream is good for effective healing, but is as likely to end up in its mouth. The harmful effects of this in comparison to the benefits are more in case of a superficial wound. Simply clean up the wound regularly and allow it to heal naturally.

If The Wound Is Serious

In case your dog has been injured seriously, the wound is best to be tended by a vet. Use a tourniquet or compression to stop the bleeding as excessive blood loss can be life-threatening. Neosporin or any other antibiotic ointment is not likely to be of much use. The vet will examine the wound and stitch it up if needed. If the wound does not require stitches, the vet will clean it up carefully and apply a suitable ointment and dressing. The vet will also provide necessary instructions for all the precautions you need to take at home for the dog to heal quickly.

The Healing Process

Dogs often heal much sooner than people. If you’ve had a dog for a while, you probably know this already. Dogs are able to manage superficial scrapes, cuts and scratches on their own and the healing takes lesser time than it would for people who experience similar wounds. However, in our usual responsible and over-protective mode, we are likely to over treat these minor injuries. All medications, like Neosporin are to be avoided completely unless they are needed.

How Often Should Neosporin Be Used?

After reviewing the entire situation, if you do decide to use Neosporin to help your dog heal the wound, the most important thing to remember is to not over-use it. It is only natural to panic if your dog gets hurt, but this is when you must remain calm. Applying a huge amount of the antibiotic ointment is not going to help your dog. You should apply a suitable quantity two or three times in the day till the time that the wound heals.

The Conclusion

To conclude this discussion, the answer is not a simple yes or no. Neosporin can help your dog with the wound, but it may cause problems too. It is important to ensure that your dog does not digest the potentially toxic cream as that can cause more problems. You should consult your vet for safer alternatives to Neosporin and use it only when and if it is necessary. If your dog experiences a serious wound, he should be dealt with by a professional.

 

References:

https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/skin-care/lacerations

http://atozpetcare.com/neosporin-on-dog/

http://canigivemydog.com/neosporin

https://www.vetinfo.com/vets/answers/is-neosporin-or-bactin-ok-for-dog-wound

 

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