Your dog was just injured in a fight and now it has an open wound on its abdomen. You're going to need to act fast, especially if it's showing signs of shock which can include drooping eyelids and a pale tongue. The first thing you'll need to do is treat the shock. Lay your dog on a flat surface and wrap it in a warm blanket. Now you'll need to prepare your pet for transport to an animal hospital.

Apply Pressure

You'll need to stop the bleeding. Fold a clean cloth and place it directly over the wound. Apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops. You may need to change cloths several times before you're able to get the bleeding under control. Once you've controlled the bleeding, look to see if any internal organs are exposed at the wound site. This is particularly important with abdominal wounds.

Clean the Organs

If internal organs are protruding from the wound site, you'll need to rinse them off. This is to remove debris and to keep the organs moist. For best results, use sterile saline solution for contact lenses to rinse the organs. If you don't have access to contact solution, you can use lukewarm tap water, but only as a last resort. Once the organs are cleaned, carefully press them back into the abdominal cavity.

Cover the Wound

Now that the wound area is cleaned and the organs have been rinsed and replaced, you'll need to cover the wound for transport. Place moist medical gauze over the wound and wrap your pet's abdomen with plastic wrap. Wrap it tightly enough to keep the gauze in place and to keep the wound closed.

Treat the Pain

Your pet is going to be in considerable pain. It's important that you not give your pet any over-the-counter pain medication. Instead, place ice packs on the wound to reduce pain and inflammation. The ice will also help stop the wound from bleeding.

Contact the Veterinary Hospital

Once your pet is stable and ready for transport, be sure to notify the animal hospital. This will give the staff enough time to prepare for your arrival. Be sure to let the staff know everything you did to stabilize your pet.

You never want to see your pet in pain. If your pet has been injured, there are some things you should do before you head to the animal hospital. The instructions provided above will help you stabilize your pet's injuries. For more information, contact a professional like those at Bayshore Animal Hospital & Bird Practice.