How can I treat my dogs pus at home?

When your fingertips touch your dog's warm and swollen skin and see its eyes evading pain, every owner's heart will tighten. Pustules on dogs not only mean infection, but also may be a red light for health. Understanding the cause of pustules is the first step to correct treatment. Bacterial infection, trauma, allergic reaction, and even potential immune system diseases may cause thick pus to accumulate under the skin. These yellow-white secretions are actually the "battlefield relics" of the body's fight against germs. ​

When you find a pustule, don't squeeze it immediately. Just like human skin infection, blind squeezing may cause bacteria to spread, cause more serious cellulitis, and even allow toxins to enter the blood circulation. You need to calm down first, gently comfort the dog, and use a soft towel to wrap the hair around the affected area to prevent the hair from sticking to the pustules. If the abscess is small and not ruptured, you can use a warm wet towel for hot compress, with the temperature controlled at 38-40℃, 15 minutes each time, 3-4 times a day. Warmth can promote local blood circulation, help pus discharge, and relieve the dog's discomfort. When applying hot compress, pay close attention to the dog's reaction. If there is resistance or the pain increases, stop immediately. ​

If the abscess has ruptured and exposed a bright red wound, cleaning is essential. Prepare saline or diluted iodine, dip it with a cotton ball or gauze, and gently wipe from the center of the abscess outward. Be gentle to avoid scratching the fragile skin. During the wiping process, the dog may struggle because of the pain. At this time, you can call its name and comfort it with a gentle tone. If necessary, ask family members to help fix the dog's body. After cleaning, make sure the area around the wound is dry. A humid environment will breed more bacteria.

In home care, preventing the dog from licking or scratching the wound is the key. You can wear an Elizabethan collar for your dog. The soft silicone collar on the market can improve the dog's comfort while ensuring the protective effect. Some owners worry that wearing a head collar will affect the dog's movements. In fact, after a short period of adaptation, most dogs can resume normal activities. If the dog is extremely resistant to the Elizabethan collar, you can also try to gently bandage the wound with a breathable medical elastic bandage, but pay attention to the appropriate tightness to avoid obstructing blood circulation. ​

During the wound healing period, nutritional support can speed up recovery. Choose foods rich in protein, vitamin A and zinc, such as high-quality pet canned food, boiled chicken breast with carrot puree. These nutrients can promote cell repair and collagen synthesis, and help skin regeneration. At the same time, ensure that the dog takes in enough water, maintains a good metabolism, and enhances the body's resistance.

It should be noted that not all pustules are suitable for home treatment. If the dog has systemic symptoms such as fever, mental depression, loss of appetite, or the pustules continue to increase and the redness and swelling spread, it must be taken to the pet hospital immediately. Professional veterinarians will determine the type of infection through bacterial culture and use targeted antibiotics for treatment. In severe cases, incision and drainage may be required. Some deep abscesses are difficult to identify with the naked eye, and potential risks can only be discovered with the help of ultrasound examination. ​

During the care process, you will find that the dog becomes particularly dependent. When it lies quietly at your feet and allows you to change its dressing, this silent trust is touching. Observing the changes in the wound every day and recording the process of redness and swelling subsiding is not only responsible for the dog's health, but also a special emotional connection between each other. As the new pink skin gradually covers the wound, the previous worries turn into relief after surviving the disaster. This is probably the unique healing power of pet life.