Whether your dog sustains a scratch during an outdoor adventure, a deep laceration from boisterous play, or a simple scrape from everyday clumsiness, immediate panic is unnecessary. However, treating dog wounds, especially open ones, requires careful attention. Fortunately, several natural methods can expedite wound healing without resorting to antibiotics or chemical-laden topical treatments.
Natural Options for Treating Dog Wounds
Veterinary visits often result in prescriptions for conventional antiseptic, antibacterial, or immune-suppressing products. The concern with these potent solutions is their potential for long-term adverse effects on your dog’s overall health. These natural alternatives offer a gentler approach, supporting your dog’s recovery and promoting faster healing.
Hydrotherapy for Wound Care
Hydrotherapy is a remarkably effective method for managing canine wounds. The continuous flow of water mimics the body’s natural healing discharges but at an accelerated rate. It efficiently flushes away debris, such as dead cells and pus, that accumulate during the healing process. Moreover, it appears to stimulate the regeneration of healthy tissue.
To implement hydrotherapy, gently run cool water over the wound for 5 to 10 minutes, once or twice daily. You can utilize a faucet or a hose for this purpose. For smaller dogs, the spray hose attachment found in many kitchen sinks can be particularly convenient.
Promoting Healing with Topical Treatments
After cleansing and drying the wound, applying specific topical treatments can significantly enhance healing.
- Calendula officinalis, available in gel, cream, oil, or ointment form, is recognized for its healing properties and antimicrobial effects.
- For deeper wounds that require filling, or in cases of exposed bone, Symphytum (Comfrey) can be highly beneficial. Applied in gel, oil, or ointment form, it encourages the rapid development of granulation tissue—the pink, highly vascularized tissue that bridges wounds before skin closure. If only the dried Symphytum herb is available, it can be combined with Calendula oil, gel, cream, or ointment. It’s crucial to use the dry herb only if you are proficient with hydrotherapy, as the herb particles will need to be removed during bandage changes.
For wounds with extensive skin loss requiring regrowth, a moist bandage is ideal. Maintaining a moist environment facilitates skin regeneration over the wound area. In such scenarios, opt for a water-based Calendula gel instead of an oil or ointment. Keeping a bandage consistently moist can be challenging, and covering it with a waterproof material can help prevent premature drying. Many herbs can be beneficial for common skin issues in dogs; exploring these options can provide further natural remedies. Natural remedies for hot spots on dogs can offer additional insights into utilizing plants for skin health.
Crafting Your Own Topical Healing Solutions
You might be curious about sourcing Calendula and Symphytum products. Many natural health food stores stock Calendula gels, creams, oils, and ointments. Availability of Symphytum products may vary. However, creating your own infusions is a straightforward process. Personal experience has shown that making calendula and symphytum oil infusions at home is achievable and effective, especially when commercial availability becomes an issue.
The process is simple:
- Fill a jar with the DRY herb of your choice.
- Follow by filling the remainder of the jar with your chosen oil.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for six weeks to allow for infusion.
- Strain the oil to obtain your homemade herbal infusion.
*For Calendula, use the flowers. For Symphytum, use the leaves. You can cultivate these herbs yourself or source them from reputable online herb suppliers. Your local natural food store may also be able to assist with special orders.
**Cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil is a pleasant choice due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, it has a shorter shelf life. If you anticipate not using the entire batch quickly, consider using a smaller jar.
Consistent monitoring of your dog’s wound, coupled with diligent cleaning, should lead to noticeable improvements in a relatively short period.
