We used a warm, wet washcloth to clean it off, covered it with a doggy antibacterial cream, and wrapped it up in a bandage. For good measure, we pulled a sock over our masterful first-aid contraption, which we taped around his ankle so that he wouldn't pull the bandage off.
Unfortunately, he bled through that bandage (and sock) and several more. So it was back to the vet with Marlo for a professional opinion.
The results? A very deep wound that probably needed stitches. Which of course were projected to cost $750 to perform. Again, weighing the risks, we opted instead to wait and see if it would heal naturally. So Marlo got a thorough flushing of the area and a professional bandaging, and we were left with strict orders to NOT remove the bandage ourselves, not let the bandage get wet, and to return in 3 days.
Poor, miserable Marlo was now sporting a spiffy blue leg warmer (to be covered by a heavy plastic IV bag whenever we went outside) and was prohibited from running or exercise for TWO weeks. Not content to suffer alone, Marlo milked this new development for all it was worth. On a family walk down to Castro street, Marlo and I sat on a bench waiting for Mike to finish a few errands. Marlo laid his head down upon his good, left paw, stuck his bandaged right paw out straight into the sidewalk, and directed his sad brown eyes woefully up at all passersby. And what a pity-party ensued! The amount of love and attention he received for this forlorn form was impressive, and I was regaled with empathetic tales of other dramatic cuts on other dogs over the years.
We lucked out this time, and after 10 days and 2 more visits to the vet for bandage changes, the wound was clearly healing back together on its own with no need for stitches. Marlo's been a trooper with all the fuss, never once eating his bandage off or resisting treatment.
Here's to a healthier new decade with the dog!
