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Is A & D Ointment Safe for Dogs?

Is A & D Ointment Safe for Dogs?

Dogs, especially outdoor dog breeds, can be susceptible to injuries. They can injure themselves as a result of being hit by bikers, altercations with cats, stones and sharp sticks, some infections, and a wide range of other unavoidable aspects of dog life.

Another common cause of dog injuries is other dogs. They can injure each other during overly-enthusiastic play, minor disagreements, and serious fights.

Since most people reach for some form of ointment whenever they get cuts, scrapes, and related injuries, it is not unusual to do the same for our pets.

One of the staples of most home first aid kits is A & D Ointment. You may have already used it for cuts and scrapes on your loved ones and wondered whether it is safe and effective for dogs as well.

To keep you in the know, this post will shed more light on this commonly asked question, especially when it comes to quick solutions for our canine friends’ cuts, scrapes, burns, and minor injuries:  is A & D ointment safe for dogs?

A &D Topical

For starters, A &D ointment is a skin protectant that works by moisturizing and sealing the skin, promoting skin healing.

It is commonly used to treat or prevent dry, scaly, rough, chafed skin as well as minor skin irritations, cuts and burns.

Is the Ointment Safe for Dogs?

According to Dolores Animal Hospital, A & D Ointment is safe to use on dogs and other pets.

The hospital lists it as one of the human antibacterial ointments for scrapes and wounds that work for pets as well.

But like other human medications that work for pets, the answer to the above question isn’t completely straightforward.

We believe that there are instances when applying antibiotic ointments like A &D can help heal your pup’s cuts or wounds, and there are situations when it is not advisable or necessary to use them on your dog.

As Healthy Homemade Dog Treats, therefore, we strongly advise our readers to check with their local veterinarians before using any type of over-the-counter medications intended for humans.  

Even if your vet gives you the green to use A & D ointment on your pup, there are still a few important caveats that you need to remember:

1. Watch out for allergic reactions

 Considering that you will be applying A & D ointment directly onto your pup’s skin, there’s a chance that your dog could develop an allergic reaction.

We recommend administering a small patch test first.

Pick a small area of your dog’s skin and apply a tiny dab of the ointment then closely monitor the area to see if he develops mild rash, redness, or hives.

2. Licking

If the scrapes or cuts are located in areas that your dog can easily reach with his mouth, he may try licking the A & D ointment off, which not only defeats the purpose of using the ointment but might also make him sick.

One of the biggest concerns about ointments is that they can be irritating to the GI tract of dogs.

The ointment can also get in the lungs if the dog vomits it up, causing serious and even life-threatening aspiration pneumonia.

Licking will also make the scrape or cut you are trying to treat worse and allow more moisture and bacteria from your pup’s mouth to the area.

So, when you decide to use A & D ointment on your dog, only apply it on areas that your pup can’t reach.

Alternatively, cover the area with socks or use a cone or a cone alternative to prevent your fur baby from licking the area.

3. Deep Cuts

Other instances where A & D ointment would not be beneficial to your dog even if your vet allows you to use it is if your pup has deep wounds or cuts, bleeding heavily or has wounds that seem severe.

In these situations, we highly recommend visiting your vet or nearest animal hospital immediately for professional assistance.

Consider also taking the dog to a local vet if his wound doesn’t improve within a few days of applying A & D.

4. Sensitive areas (eyes, ears, mouth, etc)

Avoid applying A & D ointment on (or near) sensitive areas such as your dog’s mouth, eyes, and ears.

Applying on or giving the A & D by mouth, for instance, is not only infective but can also cause digestive issues for your dog.

Using the ointment on your dog’s ears can also damage his eardrum and exacerbate ear infections.

Finally, A & D ointment is different from the conventional triple antibiotic ophthalmic ointment and shouldn’t be used on dogs’ eyes.

Ophthalmic issues tend to worsen fast, so if your canine friend has eye issues or the cuts and scrapes are near his eye, it is best to visit your vet right away instead of trying to treat the issue at home.

Final Thoughts

While using A & D ointment to treat your dog’s cuts, scrapes, and minor injuries may be okay at times, it is not designed for dogs and shouldn’t be used often.

So, whatever type of injury your dog sustains, we recommend taking to your vet first before administering A & D ointment or any other human medicine.

Your vet is better equipped to prescribe appropriate oral antibiotics, dog-friendly topical ointments, medicated shampoos or other targeted medications that can help your Fido heal faster.  

 

Last Updated on August 11, 2022 by

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