Animals, especially small ones, are very curious and mobile, therefore they often become victims of accidents. Burns in dogs are possible in the house and for a walk. Therefore, the owner of the animal needs to know what to do if the pet has been burned.
Content
- Причины ожогов у собаки 1. Causes of burns in the dog
- Степень поражения и симптомы 2. Degree and symptoms
- Лечение ожогов различной этиологии 3. Treatment of burns of various etiologies
- Первая помощь животному 4. First aid to the animal
- Медикаментозное лечение 5. Drug treatment
- Оперативное лечение 6. Surgical treatment
Causes of burns in the dog
Dog burns can cause:
- high temperature (boiling water, flame, steam, red-hot objects);
- chemicals (acid, alkali, alkali metal salts);
- electricity;
- radiation (solar);
- caustic biological substances (the juice of poisonous plants).
Thermal burns can be caused by various thermal factors. The degree of damage depends on the temperature, duration of exposure, the area of damage. So, for example, if boiling water was spilled on a dog, its exposure time is not more than a few seconds. Therefore, burns from boiling water, as a rule, are I-II degree and do not threaten life. A dog can get severe and sometimes fatal burns with boiling liquid if its effects are prolonged or occupy a large area of the body, for example, if an animal falls into boiling water. 
Severe burns cause an open flame, as it is affected by three factors - red-hot particles that fall on the skin and hair, heat radiation and hot air. If the wool is ignited, then until it is extinguished, the skin will be affected, affecting not only the upper layers, but also the deeper ones - the hypoderm, and sometimes muscles and bones. Open flame burns are the most severe and often lead to painful shock and death of the animal.
Highly harmful chemicals in households are rarely encountered. But even a pipe cleaner, bleach or plate cleaner can cause a severe chemical burn in a dog, especially when it comes into contact with the eyes, mucous membranes of the nose or mouth. Acids rarely cause a strong degree of damage, as due to coagulation of the protein in the surface layer does not penetrate deep into the acid. Much more severe burns cause alkalis.
Electric burns often get puppies, gnawing everything, including wires. With an electric shock, the burn area is small, but it is very deep, since the electricity in the body spreads through the most conductive media - biological fluids, cerebrospinal cerebrospinal fluid, muscles. The skin has a lower electrical conductivity.
Radiation can be caused by both ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Burns from radiation damage in dogs almost never occur. From the sun radiation most often suffer animals that do not have a thick coat of hair - bald breeds of dogs or short-haired light-colored. In them, exposure to direct sunlight can cause a burn of I, less commonly of II degree. The burn from infrared radiation can get a dog from a hot radiator battery, fireplace.
The caustic sap of plants such as hogweed, sedum, cayenne pepper can cause severe burns to the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes.
Degree and symptoms
Burns in dogs are classified according to several characteristics. For example, by location:
- skin surface;
- organs of vision;
- mouth and respiratory tract.
And the severity is divided into the following:
- I - damage affects the upper layer of the epidermis and causes redness, burning, slight swelling. Healing occurs within a few days, leaving no scar changes.
- II - the upper layer of the skin is damaged with the formation of bubbles (visicles), filled with serous fluid, redness and swelling. After opening the bubbles, pink erosion is exposed. The wound heals within a few weeks and without consequences.
- III - affects the surface and deep layers of the skin. Bulls (large bubbles) or a scab form on the surface, the color of which depends on the type of thermal factor and can vary from black or brown dry (flame, hot object) or grayish and soft (boiling water). The third degree is divided into 2 degrees, denoted by the letters A and B.
- IV - charring not only the entire thickness of the skin, but also the muscles and bones.
Burns in dogs I-II degree heal independently, leaving no scars, if there is no secondary suppuration. At III-IV degree, cleaning of the focus from necrotic tissue is required, followed by grafting of the wound surface. Severe burns cause internal organ failure, hydration impairment, reduced immunity, and accumulation of toxins. The symptoms accompanying a burn depend on the extent and area of the lesion. Common symptoms are:
- hyperemia;
- edema;
- burning;
- pain sensations;
- temperature increase is local or general;
Severe burns can cause fever symptoms. Extensive lesions of considerable depth may be accompanied by:
- tachycardia, increased heart rate;
- thirst;
- tremor of the limbs.
The dog is marked by arousal, which is replaced by apathy. Urine excretion decreases, its color and smell change. Further extensive burns can cause the failure of some organs, cardiac or respiratory arrest, collapse and death.
Treatment of burns of various etiologies
Treatment of burns in dogs depends on:
- the type of thermal or chemical agent;
- size of the affected area;
- localization;
- degree of burn;
- the presence of a secondary infection;
- general condition of the animal.
If the dog has been burned, then first aid should be given to the veterinarian.
First Aid Animal
The factor that caused the burn should immediately be eliminated - knock down the flame, turn off the current. If the dog has undergone a thermal burn, then you need to attach a bubble with ice, a cloth moistened with ice water. Keep the cold should be about half an hour. Then the wool is cut and a sterile bandage is applied. Lubricate the burn can not be anything. This may subsequently complicate wound healing. 
If a chemical burn was caused by an acid, then after it is washed off with a large amount of water, it is necessary to neutralize the acid with a 2% solution of ordinary soda. In case of alkaline burn, it is also washed off with water and neutralized with a 2% solution of acid (citric, acetic). Alkali metal salts or quicklime should not be washed off with water. They are removed with sunflower oil.
If the burn occupies a large area and penetrates deep into the tissue, then the dog should be covered with a blanket to warm it and let it drink water.
Drug treatment
When burns I-II degree used external means. Sprays and ointments with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and reparative properties. Massive and deep burns require treatment with antiseptics, removal of dead and charred tissues. If a secondary infection has joined, antibiotics are injected into the animal.
If the oral cavity is burned and the dog cannot feed on its own, then use food through a nasal probe, intravenous administration of nutrient solutions or food through esophagostomy. If the burn caused swelling of the airways, then a tracheotomy is performed to restore breathing. In any case, the dog is given painkillers, as burns cause pain.
Watch the video and learn more about pet burns:
Surgical treatment
For severe burns in a dog in the veterinarian, several types of surgical treatment are used:
- necrotomy - when a scab formed during deep burns is dissected to restore blood supply to the tissues and prevent their necrosis;
- necroectomy - removal of charred and dead tissue, cleansing the burn;
- amputation of the limb - if the degree of burn is such that it is not possible to save the paw;
- skin transplantation - in animals it is used for very large foci. Dog skin is very mobile and minor defects are simply sutured.
If less than 13% of the body is burned in a dog, then the prognosis is favorable. With a burn of 50% or more, the prognosis is poor.