Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Bailey is licking his wound at night while we are sleeping. Several of the stitches have fallen out or dissolved already. He has 3 more layers of internal stitches so the vet said not to worry, but the licking is causing the wound to turn pink. He is on antibiotics, but we are wondering if Neosporin or a similar antibiotic ointment would help the wound heal faster. Has anyone ever tried this?
I think a problem with neosporin with dogs is that they think it tastes good. I remember when I had stitches once, they told me to keep it dry and not use any ointment. Have you tried the "cone of shame " or a t-shirt if it will cover the area?
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
I use it without a problem, but I think they recommend polysporin instead for animals. It seems I remember some animals have a skin reaction to the neosporin.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
We used it last night without any problems. I read that some dogs have a reaction to 2 of the 3 antibiotics in Neosporin and some recommended just using bacitracin, but Bailey had no problems. I rubbed it in pretty well too. He licked it one and didn't go back so I can only imagine that the taste wasn't appealing to him I used a generic brand as well - who knows - maybe the name brand stuff tastes better! All told the wound looks much better today. I put it on him again this morning and still no problems.
Great question, thanks for brining it up.
There is little information out there on reputable websites. The closest I could find was on VetInfo, which states:
After reviewing the ingredients of Neosporin's Neo to Go spray, the author did not find any ingredients that would be specifically harmful to use on your dog. Please use caution when applying and do not apply near the eyes or nose. Ensure that the area sprayed is bandaged after the spray is applied, or that you use an Elizabethan collar on your dog to ensure that he or she does not lick at the spray and accidentally consume any of it. Also, make every effort to keep your dog from inhaling the spray while you are applying it. Please be aware that the Neosporin brand specifically states on their website faq that they can not recommend usage on pets or children under two years of age. This implies that they will not be responsible for any adverse effects that occur in these groups.
If you are simply looking for an antibacterial ointment for your dog, your veterinarian can make specific recommendations of drugs that are labeled for use on dogs such as cholorohexidine or Panalog (generic Animax). Panalog is an ointment that is antibacterial, antifungal and has anti-itch properties as well. It is labeled for use on dogs and cats and is available over the counter.
On the Neosporin website, they say:
Can I use NEOSPORIN® First Aid Antibiotics on my pet?
We know how well NEOSPORIN® First Aid Antibiotics work for you, but we can't recommend using these products on animals. Please contact your veterinarian.
I've often wondered if it was safe or not, but I've always played it safe and used aloe vera instead. Let us know how it works for Bailey.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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For what it's worth, Isabelle's surgeon told me to use Neosporin on her incision after her recent surgery. Her wound edges were not as well approximated as I would have liked, because they were on her stifle & walking was interfering with normal healing a bit. I used it & left her sutures in a few extra days. She also had cold laser every other day. A bit of secondary intention surface healing takes place when sutures come out early. Sometimes the ointment of choice, only serves the purpose of keeping the wound edges supple. Once I took her sutures out, I used Aveeno baby cream for the same purpose (I used it after her amputation also).
A lot of humans react to Neosporin also, and is an individual sensitivity.
The website cannot recommend usage on pets as it would be "off label" for a product packaged & sold for humans per FDA regulations.
Cynthia
Emily's vet also suggested Neosporin for a sore Emily once had. She used it without any trouble.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
our vet has suggested it, and we used it. we had a similar problem with a slight infection due to stealth licking by Ajax - did the antibiotics for a short period and neosporin and it worked beautifully.
My human dermatologist recommended not using Neosporin on me and instead to use Polysporin due to its lower potential for allegic reaction. We have used them both on dogs without any negative result. I would be interested in what Pam says about this.
Ralph
I have never had a problem using Neosporin on dogs although I tend to prefer Silvadene because it absorbs better and has a better spectrum of activity. Do not use an ointment on the incision until the sutures are out unless your vet tells you otherwise since it may delay healing or affect absorption of SQ sutures.
Pam
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