How to treat a dog's facial sore?

In the morning light, the dog rubs your palm with its wet nose, and suddenly you feel a hard scab on its ear - the originally soft cheek bulges with red and swollen sores, oozing yellowish mucus. This heart-wrenching moment is a scene that every pet owner does not want to face. The face is the most flexible expression area of ​​the dog. Once a sore appears, it is not only related to health, but also affects the emotional bond between the owner and the pet. ​

Determining the nature of the sore is the first step in treatment. The causes of sores on the dog's face are complex. They may be scratched by thorns when playing, or bite marks left by conflicts with other animals, or fungal or bacterial infections. Observing the state of the sore is particularly important: fresh wounds will have obvious bleeding, and those with neat edges are mostly scratched by sharp objects; if the skin around the sore is red and swollen, accompanied by odorous secretions, it may have been secondary infection; and chronic sores are often covered with black scabs, and repeatedly ruptured tissues are hidden under the scabs. When you find that your dog frequently scratches his face, resists touching the affected area, or even has a loss of appetite, you need to be alert immediately - this may mean that the pain has seriously affected its quality of life. ​

When cleaning the sore, be as gentle as if you were treating fragile glass. Hold the dog gently on your knees, soak a cotton ball with saline at about 37°C, and wipe it from the center of the sore outward in a spiral. This temperature simulates the dog's body temperature and can minimize irritation. If the sore is attached to a dried blood scab, do not forcibly peel it off. You can gently apply a cotton ball soaked in saline on it and carefully clean it after the scab softens. Pay attention to the dog's reaction. If it suddenly whimpers or struggles violently, you can pause the operation and gently scratch its familiar chin with your fingertips to soothe it. After cleaning, gently press with medical gauze to absorb the moisture to prevent residual liquid from breeding bacteria. ​

The topical medication process must follow professional guidance. In the field of pet medicine, the choice of antibacterial ointment is extremely sophisticated. For superficial sores, gel containing chlorhexidine can effectively inhibit common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus; if fungal infection is suspected, a special ointment containing ketoconazole should be used. When applying the medicine, you can fix the dog's lower jaw in a C shape with your index finger and thumb, and use the other hand to evenly cover the affected area with the ointment in a "spot-apply" manner to ensure that the medicine penetrates into the skin folds. To prevent the dog from licking the medicine, you should wear an Elizabethan collar in time - this seemingly clumsy device is actually an important barrier to protect wound healing.

Nutritional support is like injecting an invisible repairer into the healing of sores. High-quality protein is the cornerstone of tissue regeneration. You can add boiled chicken breast or salmon to your daily diet. These ingredients are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and can also reduce inflammatory responses. Vitamin C and zinc are natural antioxidants that can promote collagen synthesis. You can choose a special nutritional supplement for pets and mix it with a small amount of sugar-free yogurt to feed it. When the dog eats up this "healthy meal" with its tail wagging, you can feel its desire and trust in recovery.​

Psychological care is also indispensable during the nursing process. Although dogs cannot express themselves verbally, they can convey emotions through body language. When it curls up in a corner and is unwilling to interact, you might as well put its favorite stuffed toy next to the affected area and comfort it softly in a gentle tone. Regular and gentle combing can relieve its anxiety. When the comb teeth slide over the uninjured fur, it will stimulate the dog to secrete endorphins. This "happy hormone" helps to reduce the stress response caused by pain. ​

It is worth noting that sores in certain special parts need to be handled with extra caution. Wounds near the corners of the eyes may cause conjunctivitis, which requires the use of pet-specific antibacterial eye drops for treatment; sores around the nasal cavity are prone to infection due to moist breathing. After cleaning, a small amount of vaseline can be applied to form a protective film. If the sore does not improve within 3-5 days, or systemic symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes appear, the dog should be taken to the pet hospital immediately - professional veterinary debridement and antibiotic treatment may be the key to preventing the spread of infection.​

When night falls, watching the dog fall asleep peacefully with the Elizabethan collar, the moonlight on the windowsill gilds its face with a silver edge. The process of treating facial sores is not only a scientific and rigorous medical practice, but also a growth journey experienced by the owner and the pet. Those careful wiping and gentle comforting words will eventually turn into healing power, allowing the dog to raise the corners of his mouth with a smile again and continue to pursue the life he loves in the sun.