Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/16/2007

Question
My dog was tied outside today and got his foot wrapped around his leash and has a cut all the way around his ankle. He is limping on it and it looks swollen. Is there any "home remedies" I can do to keep him comfortable until I can get him to a vet and keep the wound clean and from getting any worse?

Answer
You can flush the wound with warm water to keep it clean.  In this type of injury, there is crushing of tissue and lack of blood supply to the skin and muscles.  We would expect that there would be much tissue damage that may need to  be trimmed off before this will heal.  Get this dog to the vet as soon as possible.