Burns. There is also technically a fourth-degree burn. In this type, the damage of third-degree burns extends beyond the skin into tendons and bones.

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1 Burns can be caused by a variety of household items, including electrical equipment and chemicals. Very light burns can be treated at home and only cause superficial damage, while more severe burns need medical attention from a vet. They can cause deep damage and shock, sometimes days after the accident. Burn Levels There are three primary types of burns: first-, second-, and thirddegree. Each degree is based on the severity of damage to the skin, with first degree being the most minor and third degree being the most severe. Damage includes: first-degree burns: red, non-blistered skin second-degree burns: blisters and some thickening of the skin third-degree burns: widespread thickness with a white, leathery appearance There is also technically a fourth-degree burn. In this type, the damage of third-degree burns extends beyond the skin into tendons and bones. Burns have a variety of causes, including: hot boiling liquids chemical burns electrical burns fires, including flames from matches, candles, and lighters excessive sun exposure The type of burn is not based on the cause of it. Hot boiling liquids for example, can cause all three burns, depending on how hot the liquid is and how long the skin makes contact. Chemical and electrical burns warrant immediate medical attention because they can affect the inside of the body even if skin damage is minor.

2 First-degree burns cause minimal skin damage. They are also called superficial burns because they affect the outermost layer of skin. Signs of a first-degree burn include: redness minor inflammation (swelling) pain dry, peeling skin (occurs as the burn heals) First-degree burns usually heal within three to six days, mostly treated with home care. Healing time may be quicker if you treat the burn sooner. To treat this type, you can: soak the wound in cool water for five minutes or longer give your pet a pain relief : local panthanol cream, dexpanthanol or bepanthen to soothe the skin Systemic : Mobic (meloxicam ) as NSAIDs. use an antibiotic ointment : fucicort or fucidin and loose gauze to protect the affected area Make sure you don t use ice, as this may make the damage worse. Never apply cotton balls to a burn because the small fibers can stick to the injury and increase the risk of infection. Also, avoid home remedies like butter and eggs as these are not proven to be effective.

3 Second-Degree Burn Dog with 1 st degree burn Second-degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of skin. This type of extensive damage causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore. Some blisters pop open, giving the burn a wet appearance. Due to the delicate nature of such wounds, frequent bandaging is required to prevent infection. This also helps the burn heal quicker. Some second-degree burns take longer than three weeks to heal, but most heal within two to three weeks. The worse the blisters are, the longer the burn will take to heal. In some severe cases, skin grafting is required to fix the subsequent damage. Skin grafting borrows healthy skin from another area of the body and replaces it at the site of the burned skin. As with first-degree burns, avoid cotton ball wraps and questionable home remedies. You can generally treat a mild second-degree burn by: running the skin under cool water for 15 minutes or longer pain medication

4 applying antibiotic cream to blisters Dog with 2 nd degree burn Third-Degree Burn Third-degree burns are the worst burns. They cause the most damage, extending through every layer of skin. The damage can even reach the bloodstream, major organs, and bones, which can lead to death. There is a misconception that third-degree means most painful. With this type of burn, the damage is so extensive that your pet may not feel pain because it s nerves are damaged. Depending on the cause, third-degree burns cause the skin to look: waxy and white dark brown raised and leathery Never attempt to self-treat your pet with a third-degree burn.

5 Dog with 3 rd degree burn Complications Third-degree burns carry the most risk for complications, such as infections, blood loss, and shock. Still, this doesn t mean that minor first and second-degree burns can t cause complications. All burns carry the risk of infections because bacteria can enter broken skin. Sepsis, or a bloodstream infection, can occur in the most severe cases. This can lead to shock or even death. Tetanus is another possible complication with burns of all levels. Like sepsis, tetanus is a bacterial infection. It affects the nervous system, eventually leading to problems with muscle contractions. Severe burns also carry the risk of hypothermia and hypovolemia. Hypothermia is characterized by dangerously low body temperatures. While this may seem like an unexpected complication of a burn, the

6 condition is actually prompted by excessive loss of body heat from an injury. Hypovolemia, or low blood volume, occurs when your body loses too much blood from a burn. Scars are a complication of all burns. Severe burns may cause keloids, which are discolored areas of scar tissue on the skin. While keloids aren t harmful in themselves, they can be bothersome. The appearance of scar tissue can worsen with sun exposure. Preventing All Levels of Burns The best way to fight burns is to prevent them from happening altogether. Here are some tips for the preventive measures you can take: Keep pets out of the kitchen while cooking. Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove. Place a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Test smoke detectors once a month. Replace smoke detectors every 10 years. Keep water heater temperature under 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Measure bath water temperature before use. Lock up matches and lighters. Install electrical outlet covers. Check and discard electrical cords with exposed wires. Keep chemicals out of reach, and wear gloves during chemical use. avoid peak sunlight. Outlook for Burns When properly and quickly treated, the outlook for first and seconddegree burns is good. The key is to minimize further damage and infection. Extensive damage from severe second-degree and thirddegree burns can lead to problems in deep skin tissues, bones, and organs. Patients may require:

7 surgery physical therapy rehabilitation lifelong assisted care Best of luck. End of Text Karim Hegazi