Dogs love to play and run. Thus often they get cuts, scratches, or wounds while playing around the garden or in a park. Also, this poor animal often has to face a hot spot that’s really painful for a dog.
In all these situations we know whom to go to, a good veterinary doctor. But if you are not able to go and run instant you must provide first aid to your dog.
For first aid, we always use bactine on our cuts and wounds. You may find this option reliable as bactine is very effective and harmless to heal a minor injury. But can you use bactine on dogs? We’ll answer this question here.
Using bactine on dogs
Bactine can be used on dogs. It will treat minor scratches, cuts, and wounds and prevent infection from sores. Bactine can also help to ease the pain of a wound and relief itching problems in dogs. However, bactine can show mild side effects if ingested but that’s treatable.
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Bactine is a common medicine that’s found in almost everyone’s first aid box as an emergency antiseptic.
Bactine is a combination of two ingredients benzalkonium chloride and lidocaine. These ingredients help to treat not-so-major cuts, and wounds so the wound doesn’t get an infection. These also provide temporary comfort from itching and pain.
Bactine is an antiseptic to use on the external parts of the body that got some cuts or injuries. It is manufactured for humans but can be applied to pets such as dogs, cats, and rabbits if they are injured and need urgent medical concern.
It’s safe for animals to apply as a topical antiseptic. Even if an animal licks a large amount or ingests the medicine it can be treated too with the help of a veterinary expert.
So if your dog has got some wounds, or minor cuts and needs first aid Bactine can be applied to the injured spot. Let’s know on which body parts of a dog you can use bactine.
Ears:
Bactine is an effective medicine to apply to your dog’s ear if you want quick treatment. Whether the ear is infected with bacteria or has cut bactine will heal it till a veterinarian starts the treatment.
Cut/Wound:
Bactine is an antiseptic that works on both human and animal bodies. If your dog has minor cuts or wounds applying bactine will prevent the infection and further soreness. But for a major injury, you should not rely on bactine only.
Paw:
Bactine is a safe medicine to use on a dog’s injured paw. It will sting at first when applied but soon your dog will get relief from the pain. Bactine can heal wounded paws preventing infection.
Hot spot:
Hot spot is a medical condition where a few parts of a dog’s body such as the head, hips, or legs experience skin issues.
The area called hot spot is actually a skin condition named Canine Dermatitis. It appears as an inflamed, red area with dry, itchy skin that hurts.
Bactine works really well on dogs’ hot spots. Its aesthetic and antiseptic properties can give your dog comfort for some time.
Eyes:
No, you cannot and should not use Bactine or any ointment on a dog’s eyes. The eyes are the sensitive part of the body and aren’t appropriate for applying any topical medicine.
If your dog has some cuts or wounds near the eye, you may apply bactine very carefully but for the eye, it’s good to visit an expert.
Is it safe? Does bactine work on dogs?
Bactine is a safe topical medicine for dogs. It has no toxic ingredients and thus is free of side effects. This antiseptic is manufactured for humans so maintains all the safety concerns.
The ingredients are chosen by experts and used in the right amount to treat small cuts, minor wounds, hot spots, or scratches.
That’s why it will leave a not bad effect on a dog’s health too. The taste of bactine is much bitter. Thus dogs find no interest in licking the medicine applied area once they have got the taste a bit.
Even if the dog consumes bactine, it will not harm its stomach if the amount is less. Moreover, this situation can be treated with first aid.
Bactine works on a dog’s skin like wonder. It helps to prevent bacteria spread and infection. It can heal wounds, cuts, and hot spot and ease the pain.
What happens if my dog licks bactine?
Bactine is an ointment for skin consisting of benzalkonium chloride and anesthetic lidocaine used for preventing infections and providing instant relief from minor wounds.
Bactine is safe on dogs’ skin in terms of minor wounds. But if they lick bactine, that might be harmful.
Infections on mouth and tongue:
Bactine is safe for external use only. If your dog licks and ingests them, it will affect the tongue and mouth of your dog and it will not be able to eat.
Loss of appetite:
Due to licking bactine, your dog’s mouth might get infected and they would not be interested in having food. Gradually, your dog will lose appetite for food and might get sick.
Vomiting:
As bactine is only for external use and is not digestible, ingestion of it might cause your dog to vomit. A lost appetite for foods also results in indigestion and vomiting.
Diarrhea:
Licking bactine may also cause minor toxicity leading to diarrhea as they are not for digestion. So this is a very common after-effect in such cases.
Therefore, make sure your dog does not lick and ingest them. You can cover them with a light pad.
How to use bactine on dogs?
Bactine acts as both antiseptic and pain reliever as it contains benzalkonium chloride and topical anesthetic lidocaine. It is very useful on minor wounds and does not require any further inspection.
But they might be harmful if ingested as they are only suitable for external use. Lidocaine and benzalkonium chloride may cause ulceration on the mouth and tongue, swallowing difficulties, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dizziness, etc.
So precautions should be taken before using. You can follow the procedures given below-
Clear obstacles:
To provide first-aid, the primary step is to clean the wounded area. Remove hairs and clip them back to get easy access. It will also prevent any further infections.
Clean wounds:
Remove blood and dirt from the wound before sanitizing. You can use a clean cloth and warm water to clean the wounded surface.
Apply Betadine: To sanitize the wounded area, use an antiseptic. Do not use hydrogen peroxide as it damages tissue and delays healing. Rather, use Betadine or other povidone-iodine products.
Soak a gauze pad into Betadine and wipe the affected area. It will prevent probable infections.
Spray bactine:
Let the disinfecting liquid dry first and then spray the bactine. As it contains benzalkonium chloride, it will help to prevent any further infection. Lidocaine will act as a pain or itching reliever temporarily.
Your dog may feel numb in that area and tend to bite and lick. Refrain them from doing such activities to prevent spreading bacteria from their mouth.
Finish dressing:
After spraying bactine, allow it to absorb in the skin. To protect the skin from any external factors such as dust or dogs licking, put a bandage on it.
However, you can apply bactine once or twice a day for two weeks depending on the wound.
What topical antibiotic can be used on dogs?
Topical antibiotics are used on dogs to prevent both minor cuts and skin irritations. Whatever the reason is, topical antibiotics should consist of bacitracin or neomycin. They are beneficial to prevent any bacterial infections.
However, Neosporin is a very common topical antibiotic and can be used on dogs for minor wounds and skin rashes. But some dogs might be allergic to them, so consult your veterinarian before using them.
Neosporin consists of three different antibiotics, bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B. These antibiotics all together make this ointment more effective to act against any known bacteria.
You can use Neosporin on your dog for the following reasons-
Prevent bacterial infections:
Neosporin consisting of three different antimicrobial agents can help to prevent bacterial infections on any injuries or rashes.
Treat minor cuts and inflamed areas:
Neosporin also creates a physical barrier on the skin and suppresses the future growth of bacteria.
So, the cuts remain protected and get dry very soon. Hence, no further remedy is required if there are no infections at all.
Neosporin is for external use only. Ingestion of Neosporin may cause gastrointestinal difficulties. So, don’t let your dog lick them.
Final Thoughts
You can use bactine on a dog’s external injuries. Bactine is safe for animals and treats cuts and wounds that aren’t major or deep. Bactine contains ingredients that prevent infection of the wounds, give relief from pain, and also ease itching problems in the hot spot.