Skin tags are bumps on a dog's skin that are usually aging and can be experienced by dogs of any breed. Usually skin tags appear on the knees, waist, armpits, sides of the front legs, and do not rule out the possibility to appear on other parts of the dog's body. Although skin tags are harmless, they can make a dog look unattractive and injure the dog if they get caught. If you are trying to remove the skin tag yourself, you should first consult your veterinarian or it is better to leave it alone.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Remove Skin Tags
Step 1. Get to know the condition
Skin tags in dogs resemble warts, but warts are more dangerous because they can develop into malignant tumors. Unlike warts, skin tags have stalks attached to the skin. It is flat or like a teardrop that can be shaken and has the same color as a dog's skin.
Step 2. Clean the area around the skin tag
Shave the hair around the skin tag. Clean the fur until the dog's skin is visible. This way, you can be sure that the area around the skin tag is completely clean.
Step 3. Clean the area around the skin tag from germs
Use 70% isopropyl alcohol or 10% povidone-iodine to kill germs on the cleaned area. Soak a cotton ball in 5 milliliters (one spoonful) of isopropyl alcohol or povidone-iodine, then wipe it over the tag and around it.
Step 4. Hold and calm the dog with the help of another person
In order to cut the skin tag thoroughly, you need to keep the dog from moving around a lot. To effectively soothe your dog, ask someone who is used to interacting with your dog for help.
Step 5. Prepare the sterilization container
If you intend to cut the skin tag, sterilize the Mayo scissors with curved blades. However, if you want to tie the skin tag off, use a string or thread that has been sterilized first. You can use a plastic container or food container as a sterilization container. Fill a plastic container with 250 milliliters of water, mix it with 10 milliliters of 10% povidone-iodine. To sterilize the scissors, soak them in a plastic container with a combination of water and povidone-iodine for one minute.
To ensure that the skin tag is cut as close to the skin as possible, use scissors with curved blades
Part 2 of 2: Cutting Skin Tags
Step 1. To remove the skin tag, cut off the stem
Cut the base of the stalk that is attached to the skin using Mayo scissors with curved blades. Prepare a bandage as this process will cause the dog's skin to bleed.
Step 2. If you want to wait for the skin tag to come off on its own, you can bind it to a date
Tie the skin tag as tightly as possible to the end near the skin using clean string, floss or dental floss. At first the dog will feel a little sore, but it will go away slowly.
Check the tied skin tag every day. The tag will swell for approximately three days then deflate. The tags will turn black and fall off within a week
Step 3. Immediately cover the wound with gauze while pressing
Not many people can perform sterile cauterization the way veterinarians do. Just apply pressure to the injured area for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. Compared to cauterization, this method is more effective at sterilizing wounds.
Step 4. Cover the injured area as tightly as possible
Add a bandage or gauze to cover the injured area without removing the first bandage. Keep your dog from licking or playing with the wound. The wound will heal within three to five days.
Step 5. Check the wound regularly
Make sure not to get the wound infected. Take your dog to the vet for further treatment if an infection occurs.
Step 6. Put the E-collar around your dog's neck
If he's always trying to lick his wound, you'll need to put a mouthpiece on him. The funnel-shaped e-collar will prevent dogs from licking or nibbling on wounds or tied tags.
