Pet Wound & Injury Care

Veterinarian treating a dog's leg wound during pet wound care visit in Midlothian

A bite wound that looks like two small holes can hide torn tissue and bacteria underneath. Our Midlothian clinic, on Steam Avenue off Midlothian Turnpike, cleans, closes, and treats wounds the same day when we can, and helps you sort out the reporting rules after a bite.

Call (804) 603-9509 on the way so the team can prepare.

When it's an emergency: Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital for bleeding you can't stop with steady pressure, a wound to the chest or belly, a bone showing, a hit by a car, a dog-on-dog attack on a small dog, or trouble breathing. Our Midlothian clinic is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and we don't provide overnight care.

First Aid on the Way In

Press a clean cloth firmly on bleeding and hold it.
Use a muzzle or wrap carefully; hurt pets can bite.
Don't apply ointments, peroxide, or alcohol; they can damage tissue.
Keep your pet from licking the wound.

Close-up bandaging a cat's injured paw during veterinary wound care in Midlothian

Wounds That Need Same-Day Care

Any bite from another animal, even if it looks small.
Cuts longer than about half an inch, or that gape open.
Torn nails or paw-pad cuts that keep bleeding.
Swelling, heat, or pus at a wound a day or two later; that's often an abscess.
Limping after a fall or a scuffle.

Dog with healed stitched leg wound after treatment at Midlothian veterinary clinic

What Happens at the Visit

The doctor checks how deep the wound goes and whether there's damage underneath. Most wounds are clipped and flushed. Some are closed with stitches or staples; others, especially bites, are left partly open to drain. Sedation and pain medication keep your pet comfortable. You get an estimate first.

"The staff at Petfolk was very caring and informative of everything. They did everything to make my Bella feel comfortable."
— Alisa M., Petfolk client.

Pet owner checking a dog's bandaged leg at home after Midlothian wound care visit

Home Care and Rechecks

Keep the cone on, keep the wound clean and dry, and give every dose of any medication. Call if you see spreading redness, swelling, discharge, or a bad smell. The AVMA's pet first aid brochure covers what to do until you can get to a vet.

After a Dog Bite in Chesterfield County

If your dog or cat bites a person, Virginia requires the bite to be reported, and the animal is confined for 10 days, usually at home. An Environmental Health Specialist from the Chesterfield Health District checks on the animal to complete the confinement. A current rabies certificate makes the process much simpler.

Dog-on-dog bites are most common where dogs mix, including the county's off-leash runs. Chesterfield County requires dogs to be leashed in its parks except inside designated dog parks. If your dog is bitten, get the other owner's name, phone number, and the dog's rabies status before you leave.

Questions about a bite report go to Chesterfield Environmental Health at (804) 914-2676.

What Wound Care Costs

An urgent exam is $135, or $36 with a PetfolkCare membership ($199 a year). Sedation, cleaning, closure, bandages, and medications are added, and the cost depends on the size and location of the wound. You get an estimate before treatment.

Get Bites Checked Early

If your pet is hurt, call our clinic on Steam Avenue and come in. An early look at a small wound prevents a bigger problem later. (804) 603-9509.