Has your furry friend got a boo-boo? Wondering what can help disinfect the wound? One question that you might be asking is: can you use Bactine on dogs? Well, let us find out.
Table of Contents
How many times do you see a cut, rash, or bruise appearing out of nowhere on your pup’s body? Well, most pet owners will say far too often! Our most loyal friends are just like kids they like to have their fun but don’t really notice the small scratches they keep accumulating.
Thankfully, there are several pain-relieving medicines and topical products that effectively heal these wounds and the most popular amongst them is Bactine. However, many pet owners question whether it is safe to apply Bactine on their dog’s skin.
If you doubt, this article is for you because we have discussed everything from its application to side effects and more. So, go ahead and read on!
What is Bactine?
In the simplest terms, Bactine is an antiseptic that can be applied on your dogs’ skin to heal itching, minor skin infections, bruises, cuts, scrapes, burn, poison Ivy, and more.
As per experts, Bactine also has pain-relieving characteristics, and the best part is that it doesn’t sting! It is a topical antiseptic made from Enzalkonium Chloride and Licodaine; the former is used for its antiseptic effects while the latter is an anesthetic agent, which numbs the affected skin of your pet and helps relieve pain and itching.
Is it safe to use Bactine on your dog?
Now let us come to the main question at hand. According to experts, Bactine is safe and easy to apply on dogs. It can kill 99% of bacteria, and if used in the right quantity, it does not have any harmful side effects.
However, it is essential to learn that one of the two components of Bactine is Locodaine, which, when used in high proportion, can be fatal, not just for animals but also humans.
Therefore, if applied in unusually high quantities, bactine can be toxic. Make sure to consult your vet in case of deep wounds because Bactine is normally meant for cuts, bruises, and burns.
You must also know the method to apply the antiseptic on the dogs. It is essential first to stop the bleeding, and once it’s stopped, cleanse the area with a soft cloth and then apply Bactine; otherwise, it may lead to an infection.
Once you have taken all the precautions, you can be sure that Bactine is safe to apply on the skin.
Can I use Bactine on my dog’s hotspot?
Dog hot spots, medically known as Acute moist dermatitis, can appear on any part of a dog’s body. They are inflammatory skin lesions that lead to a lot of itching and irritation, and it can be excruciating to see your pup scratching the exact location repeatedly.
The repeated scratching also causes pus to ooze out and reddens the spot and deepens the wound. The role of Bactine in the treatment of your dog’s hotspot can be a significant one. It has been proven to be highly beneficial for treating this condition when used two to three times a day.
Bactine is a good product to treat hotspots. It carries components that are specifically meant to combat the lesions on your dog’s skin. Licodaine is known for numbing the affected area and thus, gives relief to your dog. The other ingredient, Benzalkonium Chloride, has sterilizing properties which kickstarts the healing process.
You must also understand that applying an antiseptic will relieve your dog from the discomfort temporarily. This is why you must set an appointment with your vet to get to the root of the problem.
What antiseptic can I use on my dog?
Whenever your dog suffers an injury, it is vital to apply antiseptic as first-aid before taking them to the vet. Several antiseptics are available in the market, such as Bactine, Bacitracin, Betadine, and several herbal antiseptics that are natural and have zero side effects.
We have already discussed the effects and safety of Bactine, so let’s step further with other antiseptics that can be used on your dog.
Betadine
Betadine is an antiseptic and anti-bacterial product that can be applied to the skin of both animals and humans. Wash the blood off before applying it to your dog’s affected area.
Betadine contains povidone-iodine, which provides relief from skin itching and keeps it smooth. Many vets apply Betadine on a dog’s skin before surgery to soothe them. You can use cotton balls to put them on your dog’s skin. Just be aware that the application doesn’t reach its eye.
Bacitracin
Bacitracin is a powerful antibiotic but is not recommended to be taken or used internally since it can be very toxic for both humans and animals. However, it has proven to be quite helpful in treating various skin and eye infections.
Bacitracin ointment is used to treat skin infections, wounds, bruises, rashes, cuts, and other skin problems in dogs and cats. However, vets recommend using other less-powerful antiseptics instead of Bacitracin for skin treatment in dogs simply because other ointments have lesser side effects.
Herbal antiseptics
If you are worried about the side effects of using antiseptics on your dog, then you can switch to some herbal treatments that are entirely natural and, thus, safe to use on your furry friend.
You can use essential oils, aloe vera, calendula flower ointment, etc., to treat skin wounds, rashes, cuts, and infections. You can buy these solutions from the market or make them at home yourself. However, in any case, it is essential to learn about the ingredients before applying them to your dog.
Apart from the above options, Neosporin and Polysporin are other good options to apply to your dog, but it is always ideal to consult a professional first.
Can you use Bacitracin on dogs?
As mentioned already, Bacitracin is quite powerful as an antiseptic – so much so that it is recommended not to allow your pets to accidentally consume it. It can be quite toxic, for both humans and dogs.
Due to this reason, many vets recommend antiseptics other than Bacitracin in dogs – they come with lesser side effects. Even so, it is essential to book an appointment with a vet and learn about your dog’s problem in case it is an infection.
Once your vet recommends Bacitracin on your dog, you must ask them to guide you about the application and frequency of using it before heading back home.
Still, the extra precautions don’t mean that Bacitracin is not safe to use. The topical ointment is very efficient in treating skin infections and eye problems in both cats and dogs.
It is mainly used to treat bacterial infections due to minor cuts, bruises, burns, or scrapes on the animal’s skin. Bacitracin is an FDA-approved drug for humans, chicken, and turkey, but vets recommend it as a necessary treatment for skin as well as eyes in dogs and cats. Thus, it is perfectly safe to apply to your pet, albeit in the suggested proportion.
However, there are specific side effects of using Bacitracin on your dogs, including swelling of the eye and membranes, red eye, ocular discharges, and more.
Wrap Up
As per our research and understanding, Bactine is perfectly safe to use on dogs. The best thing about using this antiseptic is that it provides pain-relief other than healing wounds. However, it would help if you used it sparingly to avoid side effects.
We hope this article helped you understand your options with regards to antiseptics when it comes to cuts, bruises and rashes on your furry friend. If you have lingering doubts, please write them to us in the comments section and we will help you out as quickly as possible.