Pets get burns too, but there are tricks to cure and avoid them.

Just like humans, dogs and cats can also suffer skin burns, especially those related to sun exposure. However, unlike their owners, pets cannot express exactly where the pain is and how intense it is. Therefore, it is important to know the different types of wounds and how to treat them.

The Incredible.club loves animals and that’s why he wants you to know some tricks to cure a burn in pets and what we can do to avoid them.

Dogs and cats with short or white fur are more at risk of sunburn. Animals that don’t have fur, like the Chinese crested dog or the sphinx cat, are even more vulnerable, because they have almost no natural protection. Other breeds that should be protected during the summer are: Argentine dick, Dalmatian, boxer, American hairless terrier and chihuahua.

Both cats and dogs should have a special place to lie down, with shade and fresh air, especially during the hottest hours of the day, when the sun’s rays are usually strongest. If you want, you can apply a layer of SPF 30 sunscreen or a product that contains zinc oxide. Another option is to put light clothing on the animal, to protect it even more.

Damage doesn’t just come from the sun’s rays. There are different factors that can cause injuries, such as excess heat or excess cold, chemicals or even radiation. It is essential to be aware of the types of burns that we detail below.

Thermal:

Direct contact with fire; Boiling water; Hot oil; Cement too hot or too cold; Car exhaust; sun exposure

Electrical:

Biting electrical wires (cell phone chargers, hair dryers, sockets, etc.); Electrical problems inside the home (explosions, faulty appliances)

Chemicals:

Contact with chlorine; Cleaning products; fumigation products

Burns are classified according to how deep they are and the damage they cause to the surface of the skin. Burns are classified into 4 levels.

First degree: are the lightest, since they are also the most superficial. They can be treated at home and affect the epidermis. In these cases, the animal’s skin turns red, it may burn or swell, and the fur in the affected area usually ends up falling out. In general, they get better within a week.

High school: they have the same symptoms as first-degree burns, but they are deeper because they touch part of the dermis layer. In addition, they cause blisters that contain liquid and the area becomes inflamed, which can cause the animal a lot of pain. It takes about 3 weeks to heal.

Third degree: the affected area is completely burned and the wound is deeper. The epidermis is destroyed and the skin appears dry (due to dehydration). The animal feels more pain around the burn, because it directly affects the nervous system. The healing process is long and requires special treatment.

Fourth grade: the burns are so deep that they affect the muscle. In some cases, they can even reach the bone and internal organs. The affected area undergoes charring and necrosis. These burns can cause deformation and nerve endings are destroyed.

You can follow these 3 steps to heal your pet’s wounds before going to a vet.

First step: apply cold water to the area (do not use ice) to lower the temperature. Soak a gauze and gently pass over the wound; it’s important not to rub, so as not to hurt more and cause even more pain to the animal. Carefully remove the remains of dead skin and do the same if there is residue from the product that caused the burn.

Second step: After cleaning, you can apply an ointment to prevent an infection and help keep the area hydrated.

Third step: you must cover the wound with a clean gauze, to prevent infections. Do not press on the area, as it is likely to be swollen and this could cause the animal more pain. If you have it at home, use an Elizabethan collar to prevent the animal from licking the wound.

If the burn is first degree, you can treat it at home by following the steps mentioned above. However, it is important to avoid some procedures so as not to make the situation worse.

Do not apply ice directly to the injury; If bubbles form, do not touch them; Do not use cotton to clean the area, it can stick to the fabric; Do not apply ointments or oils; Do not medicate the animal, go to the veterinarian; Do not rub the wound with gauze.

If the animal is always sunburned, there is a possibility that cancer cells or even tumors will form on the skin. To control health or any future illness, take your pet to the vet so that everything can be figured out in advance.

Have you ever had to face a situation where your pet got burned? What did you do? Share your story or other accident-preventing tricks in the comments.