Boils on Dogs

Boils on Dogs
A common canine infection, pus-filled boils can be really painful for your dog. Boils or 'Furuncles' are generally abscesses that are deep localized skin infections. A boil in the skin may start as a tender outgrowth and eventually develop into a hard and painful eruption and get filled with glutinous liquid called 'pus'. When the boil is considerably soft and swollen, it might sometimes spurt the pus on its own or the pus can be drained out with the help of lancing. Boils might develop as a result of various bacterial infections, sebaceous cysts, nutritional deficiencies or even due to the presence of toxic substances in the circulatory system of a dog. Read this article to know what causes these boils on dogs and various treatments available to get rid of them.

Causes of Dog Boils
Find out the various causes that trigger the eruption of boils on dogs

* Demodex Mites that are normally found in the hair follicles of dogs may also cause various infections and lead to boils.
* Destabilization of the immune system, due to stress or other health problems, causes boils.
* Exposure to various irritants and allergens may lead to excessive scratching by the dog and surface boils in the area.
* Health conditions like 'Diabetes Mellitus' in your dog might also lead to the eruption of boils.
* Poor hygiene of your dog facilitates the multiplication of various harmful microorganisms, like bacteria, that may cause boils.
* Sometimes, consumption of excessive commercial dog food and animal products can lead to the problem.

Home Remedies
Learn some simple remedies that will help you cold-shoulder boils in your pet.

* First and foremost, keep a watch over your dog's personal hygiene. Give him a proper bath at least once in 10 days, with a good antibacterial soap.
* Tie an Elizabethan collar (shaped like a truncated cone) to your dog's neck. It will prevent him from licking the wound and spreading the injury.
* Avoid giving processed and packaged food to your dog. Include lots of fresh and leafy vegetables in his diet.
* Boil some Neem leaves and mix them in the bathwater of the dog. Neem is a natural antiseptic and will help in killing the surface bacteria.
* Crush a teaspoon each of linseed and white millet. Sprinkle the powder in the dog food. It will help in repairing the tissue.
* Dip a cloth in castor oil and lightly dab it over the boils. It helps in draining out the infection.
* Dip a washcloth in hot water or hot ginger tea and compress it to the boil. It will help to reduce the pain and draw the pus to the surface.
* Feed your dog with large amounts of water. This will help him in purifying his internal system by getting rid of various toxins present in the body.
* Try applying turmeric paste or few drops of tea tree oil to the wound. It will provide a lot of comfort and also heal the wound.

Try these therapeutic home remedies to treat the problem of boils in your dog. Once the boil drains, wash it with an antibacterial soap and apply a medicated ointment and a bandage. Prevent your dog from licking the wound. If the boils still persist, consult a veterinarian. He will recommend various oral antibiotics or other topical treatments to cure the problem.