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Had the bitch out for a run last nite and she got bit,leaving two small puncture wounds on her lower leg. When we got home and i went to clean it up it felt weird,only way to explain is its like there is an empty crisp packet under the skin! Would this just be air or fluid??? Has anyone had this before? atb shushy

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Had the bitch out for a run last nite and she got bit,leaving two small puncture wounds on her lower leg. When we got home and i went to clean it up it felt weird,only way to explain is its like there is an empty crisp packet under the skin! Would this just be air or fluid??? Has anyone had this before? atb shushy

 

 

Look at page 12 on here dated 8 May 2011 'air under skin' started by Moll.

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http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/200718-air-under-skin/

 

If it is a small area dont worry about it. Let her have a few days of rest and it should go.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned the wound just leave it, over washing can slow healing, plus you need it to scab over to stop more air entering :thumbs:

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer (Bloody ridiculous when you have to do this on here now :wacko: ) ......... The above advise it given for a clean infection free wound only!

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http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/200718-air-under-skin/

 

If it is a small area dont worry about it. Let her have a few days of rest and it should go.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned the wound just leave it, over washing can slow healing, plus you need it to scab over to stop more air entering :thumbs:

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer (Bloody ridiculous when you have to do this on here now :wacko: ) ......... The above advise it given for a clean infection free wound only!

 

Why the disclaimer Moll?

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I've just copied this from the file which contains the chapter on skin wounds in my book: should explain what the problem is and how to treat:::::

 

THE BUBBLE WRAP SYNDROME

 

Sometimes a rather strange thing happens when a dog’s skin is punctured or cut, one which I call the bubble wrap syndrome! The correct term is subcutaneous emphysema, and whilst alarming when first seen is not usually a problem if it has been caused by air getting under the skin through a skin wound.

 

When a dog cuts or tears its skin and carries on running, air can sometimes be forced under the skin through the wound and as a dog’s skin is only very firmly attached to the subcutaneous tissue at certain key points on the body, (mainly the feet, head and root of tail) any air which enters a wound can seep a long way under the skin.

 

This is commonly seen in foot punctures where by the action of the dog as it continues to run, reopens the wound at every step, forcing air, along with mud and debris, up into the wound. Even without infection, and a well washed out wound, you might find that your previously slender legged running dog wakes up the following morning with a ‘fat’ leg!

 

Experience once again comes into play here: how do you tell the difference between a ‘fat’ leg which is full of air, and one that is swollen because of rising infection?

 

Firstly, a ‘fat’ leg full of air will not contain any of the heat that we associate with infection, so the leg won’t feel hot to the touch.

 

Secondly, an air filled leg will feel almost as though there is bubble wrap under the skin, hence the name I’ve given it!

 

There is a subtle but distinct difference between a liquid filled swelling and an air filled swelling. Liquid, either from blood or pus (more of that later) will feel firmer to the touch under the skin, whereas air can be dimpled more easily under finger pressure, almost as if you were pressing an air bed: one touch pushes the air to the side. This dimpling also corrects itself easily once you have removed the pressure and you can sometimes feel a ‘crackling’ beneath the skin with your fingers.

 

Thirdly, although the dog may well be in some discomfort from the original wound, it is unlikely to be in pain from the bubble wrap syndrome unless it covers a large part of the body, in which case you need to see the vet FAST just in case there is another underlying cause, such as a punctured lung!

 

 

So the good news is that air is reabsorbed by the body with no problem: the only difficult bit for those who haven’t seen such a phenomenon before is recognising the syndrome correctly. Once again: if in doubt, seek the advice of a vet.

 

It is important to rest the dog if the wound is still sucking in air, or the problem can spread. Once the wound has healed and can't suck in any more air, the body will absorb the air over a few days, or in very severe cases, a couple of weeks. So keep the dog quiet as movement will make the problem worse.

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[quoteIt is important not to rest the dog if the wound is still sucking in air, or the problem can spread. Once the wound has healed and can't suck in any more air, the body will absorb the air over a few days, or in very severe cases, a couple of weeks. So keep the dog quiet as movement will make the problem worse.

 

Maybe I am not taking this bit in right - could you please confirm that you should keep exercising the dog whilst the wound is still sucking in air? Thanks

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Oh shit! :icon_redface: :icon_redface: :icon_redface: Yes, it means that you should rest the dog until the wound has closed over! As Sandymere says: all the time the wound is open, movement causes more air to be sucked in. Sorry folks: and thank God someone picked up on it straight away. :thumbs: :thumbs:

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