The ear flaps of dogs are called pinnas and they can be damaged in many ways.A dog's ear is covered with a vein.It's important to be able to respond quickly to a cut or bite that will cause the marginal ear vein to bleed heavily.If your dog has a torn ear, you need to apply a head bandage to stop the bleeding before you bring him to the vet.You can use a first-aid kit or make a head bandage with items lying around the house.
Step 1: Clean the wound.
If the ear is still bleeding, this may be difficult.Cleaning the injury may cause her more pain, so you may have to have someone restrain your dog.Warm tap water can be used to rinse the wound.If you want to make a gentle solution, you can add a small amount of salt to two cups of water.If your dog will let you, you may want to gently massage the skin around the wound or just rinse it.This will remove any debris that may be stuck in or near the wound to make sure the tear doesn't heal over foreign debris.Do not use human first aid washes that include rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.Your dog may react violently if you use any of these.
Step 2: Apply the bandages.
Keep the wound clean by covering it with clean gauze.To slow the flow of blood to the wound, apply mild to moderate pressure using your hands.
Step 3: Banding the wound is important.
Once the bleeding has slowed to a manageable level, apply a new piece of gauze to the wound.1/3 of the previous bandage should be exposed if you layer the bandage pads over the wound.To prevent your dog from shaking the bandaging off on your way to the vet, be sure to cover the ear's fur at the perimeter of the bandage.Check the tightness of the bandaging.You need to make sure that you can fit two fingers under the bandage.To make sure the wrap won't come off, use a small amount of tape around the edges of the bandage.
Step 4: Make sure the bandage is secured.
You can wrap long strips of medical tape around the head and ears.Don't cover the eyes or restrict breathing, just make sure it's not too tight.The ear should be folded over the top of the dog's head.Wrap excess bandaging around the head with one strip going across the front of the skull and the other covering the back.If you don't have excess bandaging, use medical tape.To mark where the ear canal begins, use a marker to gently mark over the bandaging/tape.The dog's windpipe can be difficult to breathe if the neck is wrapped tightly.The bandage should not be too tight around the dog's neck.
Step 5: Get your dog to see a doctor.
As soon as possible, this should be done.If you can get your dog to the vet on the same day that the injury occurred, it's best.
Step 6: A pressure bandage is needed.
It's important to put pressure on the wound for a while to stop the bleeding.You can use your hands or pantyhose to stop the bleeding.Cut a hole in the toe of an old stocking.Pull the socks over the dog's head, with her face through the hole.Make sure that your dog can see, breathe, and smell and that the socks don't cover her head until it's past her eyes.If you have clean gauze, place it underneath the sock at the site of the ear wound and apply gentle pressure to the wound.If you don't have a bandage, use dry paper towels or napkins.The ear should be bandaged against the head.If your dog has long ears, such as those of Cocker Spaniels or Dachshunds, place the bleeding flap on top of the dog's head so that the fur side is resting against the skull.The air should expose the inner ear.Your dog should be taken to the vet as soon as possible.If you can get her in on the same day she was injured, it will be even better.
Step 7: A sanitary pad can be used.
If you don't have any gauze, you can use a clean sanitary pad to apply pressure and stop bleeding.The absorbent side of the pad should be applied to the wound.Use medical tape to hold it in place, or apply pressure with your hands while you wait for the wound to stop bleeding.The ear should be bandaged against the head to prevent further injury.If your dog has long ears, you should place the bleeding flap on top of the dog's head so that the fur side is resting against the skull.Immediately after your dog's injury, take her to the vet.
Step 8: There are strips of cloth.
You can use strips of clean cloth from an old towel, blanket, or t-shirt if you don't have bandages or tape.Remove the long strips from the cloth.Clean towel or sanitary pad should be put against the wound.Wrap the cloth around the head and ears.The eyes should not be covered.Wrap strips of cloth around the head to put pressure on the wound.A long and narrow piece of fabric is ideal because it will be easier to wrap around your dog's head several times and then tuck the ends in to secure them.Make sure you fit two fingers between the dressing and your dog's neck to make sure he doesn't choke.Make sure the ear is covered with a bandage.If your dog has long ears, be sure to place the bleeding flap on top of the dog's head so that the fur side is resting against the skull.Within 24 hours of the injury, take your dog to the vet.
Step 9: The goal is to create a bandage for the head.
The purpose of the head bandage is to hold the pinna pressed against your dog's head so that the blood clot is not disturbed when he moves his head.This is not a substitute for veterinary care.Your vet may recommend antibiotics if the tear is bad enough.Once the bleeding is manageable, you should take your dog to the vet.
Step 10: You should bring your dog to the vet.
You can now seek veterinary attention if you have a bandage on your head.Call the vet clinic, tell them what happened, and arrange for the dog to be assessed.If the tear needs suturing, the vet will address issues such as wound contamination and infections.
Step 11: Discuss the bleeding with your vet.
There are times when the bleeding will stop once the head bandage is removed.In these cases, your vet may need to tranquilize your dog.The bleeding vessels will be ligated by the vet to protect them.
Step 12: The ear should be examined by the vet.
If the bleeding stops and the dog doesn't scratch the ear, the tears will heal on their own.Some wounds need suturing in order to heal.Your vet will recommend suturing the wound if the tear extends through the entire ear.
Step 13: It's a good idea to remove the dressing when necessary.
You should get everything ready before you go to the vet clinic or assess things at home.Scissors are needed to remove the dressing.Disinfectant.A bowl.The water is clean.There is cotton wool.Re-bandage your dog's head with more dressing materials.
Step 14: It's a good idea to make a salt water sterilizer.
Before you take your dog for a walk, make sure to use salt water.Put a small amount of salt into two cups of water.When you are ready to clean the ear flap, soak cotton balls in the salt water.
Step 15: The dog has a bandage.
You may need to cut off the dressing if it is not possible to untangle it.When using scissors, make sure you don't cut yourself or the dog.Don't cut the dressing beneath the dog's chin because you can cut his ears.If you are right handed, slide your left hand under the bandage to cover the dog's skin.If you want the long blades to point from nose to tail, hold the scissors in your right hand.Cut the bandage with scissors.Don't cut the top of the dog's head.You may cut his ear if you take too deep a bandage.
Step 16: As needed, rinse the wound.
Instructions on how often to clean the wound will be given by your vet.Warm water or a warm saline solution is best for cleaning wounds.
Step 17: Fresh dressings can be applied.
When the wound is first healing, your vet will give you specific instructions on how often to change bandages and dressings, but you should change the dressings at least once a day.If the wound becomes infectious, you may have to change the bandages twice a day.