Dogs love to explore, play here and there, and chase pets in bushes and trees, so it's no surprise that many dog owners are faced with the task of pulling a thorn out of their dog's paw at one time or another. To perform this operation, it is necessary to calm the wound, wash the wound, move the fur that surrounds it, locate and extract the thorn and then disinfect and bandage the wound. The following steps will show you how.
Steps
Step 1. Get your dog to calm down
- Depending on your dog's temperament and the size of the thorn or splinter, your dog may be hysterical, slightly upset, or utterly terrified. Calm him down by talking to him in a reassuring voice and telling him how good he is. Keep this tone comfortable throughout the process, as it will continue to make him feel comfortable.
- If your dog reacts aggressively when he is frightened, or has already bitten in the past, put a muzzle on him before examining his paw. If the process takes more than 20 minutes, remove the muzzle for 15 minutes before starting over, as your dog should wear it for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
Step 2. Wash the wound
Wash the wound carefully with antibacterial soap and warm water
Step 3. Dry the wound
Use a soft, non-abrasive towel to dry it so you can accurately locate the plug and pull it out without losing its grip
Step 4. Trim away the fur around the affected area
- With round-tipped scissors, carefully trim away the long hair around the wound so that you have a clear view of the affected area.
- If your dog is short-haired or the thorn is clearly stuck in a pad, you can skip this step, but only if you are sure you have located all possible thorns in the paw.
Step 5. Locate and remove the thorn from the dog's paw
- Find the plug. In some cases, it will be very visible, but in others, it may be small or deeply embedded in the paw. Use a magnifying glass if necessary and make sure you always have adequate light.
- Use tweezers to carefully pull the thorn out of the paw. Make a gentle, slow motion to pull the plug out. Sudden movements could cause the dog more pain or tear the paw further.
- Check the surrounding areas carefully to make sure there are no other thorns. If there are any, carefully remove them.
Step 6. Disinfect the wound
- Apply hydrogen peroxide to the wound to disinfect it and prevent any infection.
- Apply antibiotic ointment.
Step 7. Bandage the wound
If the wound is bleeding, or your dog continues to lick it, bandage it with gauze and tape
Step 8. Check the dog's other paws
Inspect the dog's other paws carefully. If you find any other splinters or thorns, repeat the procedure
Step 9. Monitor your dog's healing process
- Depending on the size of the wound and your dog's behavior, healing could take anywhere from a few hours to 2 weeks.
- If the paw becomes infected, it will swell and become hot to the touch. Sometimes it will secrete pus. If you see any of these symptoms or the wound still doesn't heal, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
