Wednesday, July 29, 2009

4 day old puppy has abdominal wound from mother pulling umbilical cord...what treatment is suggested?

Pup has an exposed area of flesh approx. the size of a nickel! The puppy has just come to me today as a foster. I will of course take the pup to the vet in the A.M. but would like to know if there is anything I can do in the meantime. I currently am fostering another mother and her 5 day old litter of nine pups...would this mother accept the injured pup and care for it as well?
Answers:
Since it is going to the Vet in the morning, I wouldn't put any salve or antibiotic ointment on it because the Vet may want to flush the wounded area and the ointment would interfere with that. I wouldn't offer the pup to the mother with five day old pups until this pup is examined by the Vet, and then according to Vet instructions since it does have an open wound. Better yet, call your Vet or Vet tech from your Vets office if you can and ask them, or call an emergency Vet clinic and explain that you foster animals and could they just give you some advice on what to do while waiting til the morning to take the pup in for treatment.
the mom dog may sense weakness and eat the puppy. So maybe you should supervise it until you can go to the vet or keep the puppy with you
Pups can die from this fast. Get it to the vet immediately. (Emergency vet) They'll put a little stitch in it and it will be fine then.
I think this would be something to call in after hours...then if the vet is concerned enough to go in your pup will have the best chance at life...you need to speak with the vet or tech about the other dog fostering this pup as well.
Yes she will but the pup will be more prone to infection. Until you get the pup into the vets I would just wash the area with antibacterial mild soap and water and check on it often, You can try to put some ointment on it but if it's really open than it may need a stitch or two to close it.. Any open unbilical wound is not a good thing.
If possible I'd have this pup checked at a vet really soon. Today if possible.
Put some Neosporoin on the wound and watch that puppy very carefully until you get it to a vet.Umbilical injuries can quickly become septic and kill the puppy,so the vet will probably put it on antibiotics.As for the mother dog,she may take the puppy.The only way to find out is to try.I would put the mom out,and rub this puppy with a few of her pups and the bedding she is sleeping on,then when she comes in,let her sniff the pup.If she licks it or nuzzles it,sit down with her and the pup and see what she does.Be careful! There's a good chance she will accept it,as her maternal urge is very strong right now.If she lies down and acts as though she wants to let it nurse,that's great,but if she growls or acts strangely towards it,take it from her and try again later.
Is it bleeding? If not, put antibiotic cream on it and hope it heals. Moms do pull them sometimes and make them bleed. The puppy will probably end up with an umbilical hernia, but hopefully it will live.

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