If, in the past, you have had a dog that got a cut at the tip of the ear, you already know how difficult it is to stop the bleeding. Even if you apply some pressure by putting on a towel, when you remove it the dog feels a certain tingling and shakes his head, causing the bleeding to resume. By doing some research, you can stop the blood flow and prevent the wound from reopening.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Stopping the Bleeding
Step 1. Stay calm
Dog ears bleed a lot due to having a lot of blood vessels, but you don't need to worry. Either way, there's a good chance the dog won't bleed too profusely. Also, keep in mind that dogs perceive the emotionality of their owners. If you are too agitated or panicked, the dog will fidget in turn, causing an increase in blood pressure and thus more bleeding.
Step 2. Take the dog to a quiet place
You need to keep him away from environments and circumstances that can excite and agitate him, such as other dogs or noisy people. Give him some treats and have him squat or lie down so you can cover the injury.
Step 3. Apply some pressure to the wound
Use a paper towel, cloth, sterile piece of gauze, or any other clean, dry cloth to apply direct pressure to the cut. Hold firmly for up to five minutes.
- After two minutes, you can gently lift the towel or cloth to check if the bleeding has subsided.
- After five minutes of pressure, most of the bleeding should have slowed down considerably or stopped completely.
Step 4. Apply a product that helps to clot the blood
If you have one of these commercial blood clotting products available - which you can find in many drugstores and drugstores - pour a large amount into the palm of your hand (usually powder). Using a clean finger, apply the product to the wound with light pressure. Repeat until the bleeding has stopped completely.
- If you can't get this product, you can use corn starch, flour or baby powder which work just as well.
- Do not use baking soda or baking powder, as they could cause an infection in the cut.
Step 5. Clean the area
You can apply diluted hydrogen peroxide to eliminate dry blood from the ear. However, do not put this product or any other disinfectant directly on the wound, as this could break the clot that has formed in the meantime and restart the bleeding.
Step 6. Call the vet
While most small cuts on the ears can be handled and addressed at home, there are some situations where you should contact your vet and have your dog treated. In these cases, continue to put pressure on the wound while taking the animal to the clinic. It may be necessary to apply a few stitches or put other measures in place to stop the flow of blood and ensure the pet gets the right treatment. Contact your vet if:
- The bleeding is severe.
- The wound goes through the ear.
- The bleeding does not stop after 30 minutes of home treatment.
- Bleeding starts again even after treatment.
- The wound is larger than a simple cut.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing the Dog from Reopening the Wound
Step 1. Keep the dog in a quiet place and observe him
Keep him in a calm environment, so he can rest and you can keep him monitored. Make sure he doesn't do any activity that gets him moving, like running or playing.
Step 2. Make sure that the animal does not shake or scratch the ear
If you see him shaking his head or scratching because of the tingling sensation that the wound causes, it could reopen and cause further bleeding.
If the dog continues to shake his head or scratch vigorously he risks causing a hematoma, which is a blood clot between the layers of the ear. This happens when a blood vessel breaks under the skin and the cartilage pours blood into the cartilage itself, causing the ear to swell. This complication needs veterinary treatment
Step 3. Use an Elizabeth collar for two or three days
To minimize possible complications, you can put your dog on an Elizabethan collar for a few days. This will prevent it from touching the ear with the paw.
Step 4. Clean his ear
You can reduce the pet's need to shake its head and scratch its ear by carefully cleaning its ear canal. Eliminates traces of dried blood or any dirt and wax residue in the canal or inside the ear.
Step 5. Put a bandage on his head
Another option is to create a bandage to put on the dog's head. This is especially useful if you see that it keeps flapping its ears. For this procedure you will have to sacrifice a stocking. Cut off the tip to form a tube. Fold your ears back over your head, applying gauze over the wound and gently slide the stocking over your head. The nose and eyes should remain exposed and the sock should be placed just above the eyes.
- Make sure the sock is snug, but not too tight. You should be able to easily slip a finger under the fabric at both the head and neck.
- Leave the bandage on for a day, then take it off and check the wound. If necessary, you can replace it and put it on for another day until it stays clean and dry.
Advice
- It may be necessary to leave the sock / bandage on for two or three days to ensure that the bleeding stops completely.
- When the dog feels the bleeding taking place, he tends to shake his head, consequently he risks splashing the blood on the walls, furniture and so on. Therefore, keep it away from your expensive furniture until you are certain that the bleeding has stopped.
- Do not try to wrap a towel around the dog's ear, as it will struggle and wriggle to remove it, causing new bleeding.
