I'm really in need of some advice right now. I dropped my dog, Charlie, off at his usual daycare earlier this week, and everything seemed fine when I picked him up. But later, when we were home and I was giving him his nightly brushedown, I noticed this gnarly looking wound on his scalp, almost hidden under his fur. I’m freaking out a bit because I wasn’t told anything happened and the daycare staff didn’t mention he’d been hurt. There’s some swelling and it looks pretty angry, but I don’t even know if it’s from another dog or if he caught himself on something. He's acting a little more lethargic than normal, and I can’t tell if it's just him being tired or if it's something else. The soonest I can get him to the vet is tomorrow, but I’m worried sick until then. Has anyone else dealt with something like this? How concerned should I be? Any advice on how to make him more comfortable in the meantime would be appreciated.
Thanks for reaching out with your concern. I'm really sorry to hear about your dog's experience at daycare. Scalp wounds can look quite alarming, but let's talk through what you can do right now.
First, if the wound is bleeding, try to gently press a clean cloth or gauze against it to help stop the bleeding. Keep your dog as calm as possible to prevent further stress or injury. It’s really important to clean the wound with warm saline or clean water to flush out any debris and reduce the risk of infection.
Dog bite wounds can be risky because the teeth can introduce bacteria into the skin. Keep an eye out for increased redness, swelling, pus, or a bad smell, which could indicate infection. Also, watch for signs like lethargy, loss of appetite, or a fever, which means it might be serious and needs prompt veterinary attention.
At this point, I recommend booking a video consult with one of our vets on Dial A Vet. They can take a closer look at the wound and advise you on whether a visit to the clinic is necessary for stitches, antibiotics, or further treatment. We're here to help ensure your furry friend heals up quickly and comfortably!
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