What should I do if my dog gets a splinter?

When your dog avoids putting weight on one of his feet, or lifts a paw and turns to you with sad eyes, chances are he's got a splinter, and he wants you to get it out. To do so, you'll need tweezers, soap and water, and some rubbing alcohol.

Calm your dog down before you start. When he sees that you're confident, he'll mirror that feeling. If the splinter is clearly visible, grasp it with the tweezers and carefully wiggle it out. Then wash the area thoroughly, and rub in the alcohol.

If the splinter is visible but you can't get hold of it, use a warm compress to try to draw it out. However, if a splinter is too large for you to extract, or is embedded dangerously close to an organ, or if your dog has been impaled, seek professional help as soon as possible.

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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