Lets get Topical

Creams and ointments are used less commonly for the treatment of skin conditions in dogs and cats than in humans. That's because our patients have a tendency to lick the medication off and, as most veterinary patients are hairy, if the medicine gets smeared all over the fur it can be very messy. In this article, Fred Nind explains how to apply creams and ointments properly

When applying a so-called 'topical' medicine (that is one that is applied to a certain area of the skin and affects only the area to which it is applied), it is best to clip the hair from the area around the wound or lesion. The vet will probably do this with electric clippers. You can do just as good a job yourself with a pair of scissors, but be very careful not to cut the skin.

The medicine may have to be absorbed through the skin to work - another good reason why it will not perform its job if it is only smeared on the coat. However, the medication will probably be absorbed through your skin too, so it is best to wear some sort of protection. Old washing up gloves will do or you could just put your hand inside a polythene bag. Some creams have to be rubbed well into the skin, others merely smeared onto the surface. Read the label to see which type you have. Some conditions make the skin very sensitive and vigorous rubbing with a thick ointment can be very painful. Be gentle and, if necessary, ask someone to help you hold the patient.

Sometimes it can be difficult to persuade your patient to leave the wound or lesion alone. He may have difficulty licking ointment off a wound between his ears, but anything applied to a paw usually results in prompt and vigorous attempts to lick it off! It may be necessary to put a bandage over the wound or fit a big wide collar, known as an Elizabethan collar, round his neck to keep the tongue away from the medication.

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