Difference between revisions of "Get a Thorn out of a Dogs Paw"

#Pet your dog and speak in a soothing tone. Your dog will probably be in pain and won't realize that you're trying to help. Your first actions should be calming the dog down so you can inspect the wound and take necessary action. Pet the dog in his favorite spot for a few minutes to get him relaxed. When he calms down, you can continue with removing the thorn.<ref name="rf1">http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/accidents-injuries/e_dg_puncture_wounds</ref>

#Give your dog a treat. If necessary, you can give your dog a treat while you inspect the wound. This will distract him and allow you to take the necessary first aid steps while the dog is preoccupied. You'll want a treat that will keep your dog busy for a while, so some are better than others.<ref name="rf2">http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/healthy-dog-treats?page=2</ref>

#Get someone to hold the dog. Inspecting the wound and pulling out the thorn will be painful and your dog will probably try to pull away. It is a big help if there is someone around to hold the dog in place while you work.<ref name="rf1" />

#*Remember that the most important part of restraining the dog is controlling his mouth. Even if your dog is friendly and has never bitten anyone before, any animal can turn aggressive when it is in pain and scared. He may bite as a reflex when you touch the wound. Make sure the holder keeps his hand over the dog's mouth to prevent this.<ref name="rf3">[http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_restraint.aspx</ref>

#*When restraining the dog, only use light pressure when he isn't struggling. If he starts to struggle, apply more pressure, then let off when he stops. This will gradually show him that if he doesn't struggle, you'll press down with less force.<ref name="rf3" />

#Muzzle your dog if necessary. Sometimes animals respond very badly to being restrained, especially if they're in pain. This could be dangerous for you and everyone around, because a panicked dog can deliver a nasty bite. If your dog is snapping or acting very aggressive, muzzle him for your own safety.<ref name="rf4">http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_restraint.aspx</ref>

#Avoid moving on if your dog is out of control. If your dog is in a lot of pain, he might respond violently. If you can't control him, don't try to keep restraining him. You could injure both yourself and your dog. Instead leave him alone and see if he'll calm down on his own. In the meantime, call your vet and see what he suggests.<ref name="rf1" />

#Locate the thorn. You'll probably know which paw the thorn is in because your dog wasn't putting it down, but you have to find its exact location. Once the dog is safely restrained, inspect the paw. Use a flashlight if you need to.<ref name="rf5">http://www.nycdowntowndogs.org/</ref>

#Wash the area with disinfectant soap and warm water. You want to avoid an infection in your dog's paw. An infection will delay the healing process and could require a few visits to the vet. When you've located the thorn, carefully wash around it with soap and warm water. This will help fight infection, and the warm water may soften the skin and make pulling the thorn out easier.<ref name="rf1" />

#Sterilize a pair of tweezers. Before pulling out the thorn, you have to make sure the tweezers you're using are clean. Wipe them down with alcohol to kill any microbes and help prevent an infection.<ref name="rf6">http://www.petco.com/Content/ArticleList/Article/13/1/343/Basic-First-Aid-at-Home-Overview.aspx</ref>

#Pull out the thorn. Grasp the thorn firmly with the tweezers, as close to the dog's skin as possible. Then quickly pull the thorn out. While pulling quickly will cause pain, it will ensure that the process ends fast and your dog can start recovering.<ref name="rf5" />

#Wash the area again. You should also wash the area after pulling out the thorn to further fight infection. You can use soap and water again, or a disinfectant like betadine.<ref name="rf1" />

#Wrap the wound if it's still bleeding. Oftentimes small puncture wounds will stop bleeding fast and won't require wrapping. If the wound is a little larger and bleeds, however, use gauze to wrap up the paw.<ref name="rf7">http://www.vetinfo.com/proper-bandage-dog.html</ref>

#Visit the vet if necessary. If you have any trouble getting the thorn out, wrapping the wound, stopping the bleeding, or suspect something may be wrong at all, call your vet. Schedule an appointment so he can inspect the wound and take care of any issues there may be.<ref name="rf6" />

#Watch for signs of infection. Monitor your dog carefully for at least a week after you remove the thorn. Take him to the vet if you see any of the following symptoms.<ref name="rf8">http://www.vetinfo.com/common-dog-infection-symptoms.html</ref>

#Keep your dog's nails trimmed. It is common for a dog's nails to get caught on something and get cut or pulled out. This injury is painful and can cause an infection. Avoid it by keeping your dog's nails trimmed to a good length. Read [[Trim a Dog's Nails]] for instructions on caring for your dog's nails. Your vet can also do this during checkups, so ask the next time you visit.<ref name="rf9">https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/top-10-paw-care-tips-dogs</ref>

#Inspect your dog's paws regularly. The pads on your dog's feet go through a lot of wear and tear, and are very susceptible to injury. Look for any cuts, cracks, or tears in the pads. Even small injuries can get worse, so talk to your vet if you find any and have them looked at to prevent further injury.<ref name="rf9" />

#Get protective footwear for your dog. There are several brands of footwear designed to protect your dog's feet. If you live in an area with rough terrain or your dog has experienced injuries before, it might be a good idea to look into these. You can ask your vet for a recommendation, or ask the staff at your local pet store.<ref name="rf10">http://www.dog-health-guide.org/dogpawprotection.html</ref>

#Clean your yard. While you may not be able to avoid sharp objects when taking your dog for a walk, you can make sure that your own property is free of danger. Search your lawn and yard for sharp objects like glass, nails, screws, or anything else that could injure your dog. This can help avoid serious injuries for your dog.<ref name="rf9" />