One of the most common injuries which dogs tend to suffer from a head wound that causes damage to the ear. They have veins running around its ear flaps edge. A bite or cut that includes a marginal ear vein might make it necessary to respond quickly. In such a case you need to apply a bandage for controlling bleeding prior to taking your dog to a vet.

  1. Prepare Ear to Bandage

You will have to make a bandage using the first aid kit. This might be quite difficult when the ear bleeds.

  • Use clean and warm tap water for rinsing the wound. Take one tablespoon of salt and add it to 2 cups to lukewarm water to make a gentle solution.
  • If the dog allows, massage the skin gently around the wound. This can be done prior to rinsing the wound or while you are doing it.
  • Don’t use any household shampoo or soap as it can irritate the wound and cause the dog to react in a violent manner.

  1. Apply Gauze and Bandage

After you have prepared the wound to bandage, you need to apply the gauge and the bandage.

  • Hold a clean gauze over the wound until the bleeding slows.
  • Apply little pressure with your hands on the gauge as it will help in slowing down blood flow.
  • When you have managed to slow down the bleeding to some extent, apply a piece of gauze to wound. In case you bandage pads with adhesive, leave out 1/3 of the precious bandage exposed.
  • Make sure that you cover the fur around the ear when you bandage around the perimeter. This will hold the bandage in place.
  • Check on the tightness of each bandage. Make sure that it fits in two fingers snugly under this bandage.
  • Use some adhesive tape around bandage edges so that it doesn’t come off.

  1. Secure the Bandage

It is possible by wrapping around long gauze strips over the ears and around the head. Don’t cover the eyes or hinder breathing. Also, it shouldn’t be too tight.

  • Fold the bandage gently over the head of the dog.
  • Then wrap the leftover bandage around the head. One strip should go across the head’s front and the other around its back, wrap around the opposite ear. When you do not excessive bandage use adhesive medical tape.
  • Take the help of a marker for taping or bandaging.
  • Wrap too tightly around the neck will compress the windpipe of the dog. This makes it difficult to breathe. Hence, make sure it isn’t too tight.

  1. Take the Dog to a Vet

When the bandage controls the bleeding, take the dog to a vet.

  • This will help in controlling bleeding.
  • Call the clinic of the veterinary before taking the dog.
  • Tell the vet what actually has happened and make sure that the dog is assessed.
  • The vet will look after the wound to check for infection or contamination.

  1. Get the Bleeding Assessed

At times, the bleeding might persist even when the bandage has been removed.

  • The vet will have to sedate the dog using an anesthetic.
  • The bleeding vessels will be ligated and suture wound is going to provide protection to the ligatures.
  • Allow the vet to decide if the ear requires a suture. In some tears, the ear flap might heal without any kind of intervention only if the bleeding stops and the dog don’t scratch. However, some wound will require suture for healing.

  1. Remove the Dressing

Irrespective of whether you visit the clinic or do it on your own, prepare everything.

  • You will require scissors for removing the dressing.
  • Thereafter gather a bowl, cotton wool, disinfectant, and water.
  • You will also require dressing material for re-bandaging the head of the dog.

  1. Allow the Ear to Heal

Prior to removing the bandage of the dog, you need to disinfect the salt water. Use 1 teaspoon of salt in 2 cups of water.

  • Take the cotton balls and dip in salt water for cleaning the ear flap.
  • If you are unable to untie, cut off the fabric. Make sure to use the scissor carefully.
  • Rinse the wound as per the instructions of the vet. Use saline water for cleaning the wound.
  • Now, apply a fresh bandage to the dressing.

TIPS

  • Leave enough room for the ear that is uninjured.

Take the help of an e-collar for preventing the dog from reopening or re-injuring the wound.