Do not apply creams, antiseptics or dressings unless your veterinary team has specifically advised them.
Your first steps
What to do at home
- Wash your hands before and after checking the area.
- Prevent licking, chewing and scratching.
- Keep the wound dry, including during toilet trips.
- Photograph it once daily in similar light to monitor change.
- Check bandages for slipping, smell, moisture or swollen toes.
Things that often settle
- Mild pinkness at fresh wound edges
- A small amount of bruising
- Minor swelling that steadily improves
- A clean, dry incision
Things we want to know about
- Increasing heat, redness or swelling
- Yellow, green or foul-smelling discharge
- Fresh bleeding that does not stop
- The wound opens or stitches are missing
- A bandage becomes wet, tight, loose or smelly
Medication safety
Only give what has been prescribed.
Human painkillers—including ibuprofen and paracetamol—can be dangerous to pets. Contact the practice before adding, stopping or changing any medicine.