Splinters typically do not cause a lot of bleeding, so you may not be able to find the splinter by looking for a wound that’s bleeding. In addition to using your eyes, use your hands to gently touch his paws to find exactly where the splinter is. Talk gently and softly with your dog while you are doing this to reassure him that he will be okay.
The area where the splinter is located is probably very painful, so be gentle when you are cleaning the area. It may be helpful to fill a shallow bucket with the warm, soapy water. In this way, you could let your dog’s paw soak in the water, which may feel very soothing to him. Use a small towel to clean his paw while it is soaking. Use another clean towel to dry his paw after you have cleaned it.
After you sterilize the tweezers, set them on a clean paper towel so that they can dry and remain clean before you use them.
Just like with cleaning your dog’s paw, be gentle when you are removing the splinter. Your dog is going to be pain while you’re doing this, so talk to him in gentle and soothing tones to reduce his anxiety. Be careful not to push the splinter further into the skin, or break the splinter, when trying to pull it out. If either of these things happens, take your dog to the vet so that they can remove the splinter for you.
Other than warm and soapy water, you can also use a solution that is 50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid that can be used to clean wounds and prevent infection. Dry the affected area with a clean and dry towel.
If after two days the area looks dry and clean, there is no pus or smelly discharge, and he is walking soundly, then you can return to normal. Bandaging would be needed if the puncture hole is large, there is a smelly discharge from the hole, your dog still isn’t fully placing weight on his paw after several minutes, or you are not confident that the whole of the splinter came out. [2] X Research source
Neosporin is a triple antibiotic ointment for humans, but you can use it on your dog to treat the area from where you removed the splinter. If you choose to apply the ointment directly to the paw, you will still need to press the gauze against the paw to keep the ointment in place.
While still holding your dog’s paw up, attach one strip of tape on each side of the gauze and press the tape down on your dog’s leg several inches up from the wound. This should look something like a splint.
Keeping the toes uncovered will allow you to see if they’re swollen or feel cold. If the gauze is too difficult to tear, use scissors to cut the gauze.
Cover the bandage with a plastic bag when your dog goes outside to keep the bandage clean and dry. [3] X Research source
If he chews off the bandage, take this opportunity to inspect the affected area. If the area looks clean without signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge), you probably will not need to reapply the bandage. If you are unsure, contact your veterinarian for advice. If your dog has managed to remove the bandage, he may have also licked the Neosporin. Neosporin can be toxic to dogs, causing signs such as vomiting, drooling, and loss of appetite. If you observe these signs after your dog has removed the bandage, contact the Pet Poison Hotline or your veterinarian immediately. [5] X Research source
When you remove the bandage and clean off the excess triple antibiotic ointment, the affected area should look clean without any swelling. You should not see any redness or any type of discharge coming from the wound. If you see swelling, redness, or discharge, it is quite possible that the wound has become infected. Take your dog to your vet for further treatment.
