Any bite wound, any cut that gapes or keeps oozing, and any torn nail that won't stop bleeding should be seen by a vet the same day, because fur hides the edges and skin slides over damage underneath. Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark is a veterinary clinic on Old Sardis Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, that cleans and repairs wounds in dogs and cats, and its surgical team can close wounds that need more than a bandage.
Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital now if bleeding won't slow with firm pressure, a wound reaches the chest or belly, your pet was hit by a car, or your pet is struggling to breathe or seems faint.
Does my pet's cut need stitches?
Book a visit at Petfolk SouthPark if the wound is longer than about half an inch, gapes open, goes through the full thickness of the skin, keeps oozing after a few minutes of pressure, or is on a paw pad, eyelid or lip. Wounds are easiest to close in the first several hours. After that, the edges swell and bacteria settle in, and the vet may need to let the wound heal open.
What should I do on the way to the vet?
Press a clean cloth or gauze firmly on a bleeding wound and hold it there. Don't lift it to check.
Use a muzzle or a soft cloth loop around a dog's snout if they are in pain. Even gentle dogs can bite when hurt.
Don't put hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or ointment in a deep wound.
Wrap a cat in a towel and put them in a carrier.
Note what happened, when, and whether another animal was involved and is vaccinated, and tell the Petfolk SouthPark team.
Why does a small bite wound need a vet?
Bite wounds are punctures: teeth push bacteria deep under the skin, and small holes on the outside can hide torn tissue below. In cats, a bite that seems minor often becomes an abscess (a pocket of pus) a few days later. Coyotes live in all 100 North Carolina counties and may see outdoor cats and small unleashed dogs as prey (NC Wildlife Resources Commission), so any wildlife bite should be checked at Petfolk SouthPark the same day.
How does Petfolk SouthPark treat wounds?
Wounds and injuries were about 1 in 12 sick visits at Petfolk SouthPark (8%) from October 2025 to September 2026, and four in five of those patients (80%) were dogs. About a third of those wound visits (35%) sent the pet home with an antibiotic.
The vet checks the whole pet first, then the wound. Most wounds need the fur clipped back and a thorough flush with sterile fluid, often with sedation or local numbing. The vet may close the wound with stitches or staples, place a drain, or bandage it to heal open. You get an estimate first and leave with clear home-care steps. If a bone might be hurt, the pet x-rays page explains that step.
They were so kind, attentive and provided swift care for him saving me a trip to the ER. Hannah E., Google review
What if a copperhead bites my dog?
Get to Petfolk SouthPark or another vet right away. Copperheads are North Carolina's most common venomous snake (NC State Extension), and bites often cause fast swelling on the face or a front leg. Keep your dog calm, carry them if you can, and skip ice and tourniquets.
How do I care for the wound at home?
Keep the cone on, check the area twice a day for redness, heat, odor or discharge, and keep bandages clean and dry. Finish every dose of prescribed medicine and return to Petfolk SouthPark for the recheck. The AVMA has pet first-aid basics worth keeping on hand.
Pet parents from Dilworth can find a vet in SouthPark at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark, 4914 Old Sardis Rd, Unit C5, Charlotte, NC 28211. Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark, or see all veterinary services in SouthPark.
Questions about cuts, bites and injuries
Unit C5, off Old Sardis Road