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Though fortunately relatively uncommon in dogs and cats, burn wounds pose a risk to our pets because of development of secondary infection, losses of fluids, and electrolyte imbalances. For these reasons most pets that suffer burn injuries should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Now there are differing seventies of burn wounds and the most superficial wounds can be seen as just loss of fur that's been singed away and then reddened skin that might look a little bit raw. Now if this covering just a small area it might be appropriate to monitor that at home. Larger surface burn wounds or wounds that are deeper and will be seen as blistering or charring of the skin suggest we need veterinary care as soon as possible. Now again, with all first aid situations we first want to secure the scene and make sure that it's safe to approach a pet that we suspect has suffered burns. You want to make sure that you start by checking your pets vital signs, paying particular attention to the respiratory system as pets that have been in a fire are at risk for suffering smoke inhalation. This can be life threatening. So if your pet is showing any breathing abnormalities skip any burn wound care and get him immediately to a veterinarian. If your pet is breathing normally, you can cool off any areas that have been burned with cool water. You don't want to use ice or ice water. We're just trying to prevent the spread of any more heat. Once we've cooled off the burn areas, you can wrap your pet in a blanket or towel and transport him to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further care.
In this lesson, you'll be learning about cat and dog burn care, including the difference between serious and superficial wounds, and how you should handle each.
Fortunately, burns are quite uncommon for dogs and cats. However, the biggest risks to your pet, in the event of a burn, include:
For these reasons, burns should be taken very seriously, and most pets who suffer a burn injury should be properly evaluated by your veterinarian.
Having said that, the severity of burn injuries can vary greatly. Some burn wounds can be superficial. These wounds can be seen as fur that has been singed away or a reddened patch of skin that may look a bit raw.
Pro Tip: If your pet has a superficial burn and that wound is confined to a small area, it might be appropriate to treat the wound at home and closely monitor your pet for any other serious signs of trouble, like infection.
However, if that burn wound involves a larger surface area on your pet or is a deeper burn wound – meaning you notice blistering or charring of your pet's skin – you need to get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Again, even though we've mentioned this repeatedly, it bears mentioning once more – make sure the scene is secure and that it's safe to approach your pet if you suspect he or she has suffered a burn wound.
Warning: Burns are not the type of injury to take lightly, and there's just so much you can do at home. A trip to the vet will almost always be warranted, whether or not you decide to treat a superficial wound before going.