A splinter is a foreign object that managed to get lodged partially or totally in the skin. A splinter can be a sliver of wood, a broken glass or a small piece of metal. Most splinters are found on the hands and on the foot. Thorns of plants can also cause a splinter. These foreign bodies embedded on the skin would cause a gnawing pain especially if the affected skin is moved or touched.
A splinter embedded on the skin is obvious if the tip is protruding though very small splinters that are lodged deeply in the skin would be rather hard to see. The pain caused by the splinter will be a reminder that a foreign body is inside the skin. Splinters do not really bleed much unless the splinter is quite large and some would not even bleed at all. The splinter may not be noticed until it becomes infected and there is swelling, tenderness and pus discharge.
Splinters are injuries of humans that can happen to dogs too. Active and explorative are the innate behaviors of dogs. These animals also have a great fondness for gnawing bones. These behaviors often land the dog in tight spots that cause injuries. A roaming dog would never think of avoiding broken glass, thorny bushes and dirt strewn paths. A bone that is being gnawed by the dog can break and splinter the mouth.
One of the reasons why a dog limps is a splinter on the foot. The dogs incessant pawing of the mouth can be an effort to remove a splinter on the mouth. A dog will lick and bite a foot that has a splinter as the pain will bother the dog every time it puts weight on the affected foot. Self mutilation can lead to infection. Removing the splinters of the dog would not be a hard task. Removing the splinter of the dog will be easy especially if the dog owner knows how to administer first aid.
Removing a splinter is easy especially if the end of the splinter is sticking out but the owner has to be careful so as not to push the splinter deeper into the dogs skin. To be able to see the splinter clearly, it would be best to trim the fur around the affected area. Use antiseptic cleaner on the affected area. Pull out the protruding end of the splinter with clean tweezers.
Removing splinters that are totally embedded in the skin can be difficult. After the hair is trimmed and the area around the splinter cleaned with alcohol or antiseptic cleaner, use a needle to gently pry the end of the splinter until it can be pulled with the tweezers. Clean the skin again with antiseptic cleaner.
Read more about dog first aid and splinters/a> at Sarahs Dogs.
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