As agreed, you can try to treat your pet's wounds at home. Start by carefully trimming away the fur around the wound, but be careful not to cut the skin.

Then gently clean the wound with lukewarm water to remove any wound exudate and contamination. 

Gently wipe away any dirt or exudate with clean damp cotton wool. 

After this, you can, for example, use saline (salt water solution using cooled boiled water).This may be poured over or squirted gently into the wound. Repeat this wound cleaning 2-3 times daily as needed.

You can also clean the wound with a dilute Chlorhexidine solution (0.05%), which can be bought without a prescription at the pharmacy or clinic. Use a cotton ball and wash the wound and then let it dry. 

Sometimes excessive licking may be best prevented as in some cases it will delay healing. The most effective way of preventing licking is by applying an Elizabethan collar as this allows the wound to be left open for ventilation. Your vet may wish to assess the wound first to be confident that this is an appropriate way to manage any particular wound. Wounds on the foot are quite common and these may be covered by a sock when out walking or to reduce licking and chewing. A simple bandage can also be applied. Do not leave a bandage in place for more than a few hours in case for any reason it is too tight and also because they can quickly become contaminated and trap bacteria in the warm moist environment. Take care that your pet does not eat any bandaging material.

NOTE: Never fasten the sock with a rubber band, but use soft/elastic tape that you put around the leg without tightening so tight that you may prevent adequate blood circulation to the area. This could result in the paw becoming painful and swollen and in the worst cases cause necrosis of the soft tissues.

Care: You should only attempt to perform wound care if you feel confident that your pet will not bite or scratch you. If you have any concerns regarding this, then you should seek treatment from a veterinary surgeon.

If the wound does not appear to be healing satisfactorily, or if your pet develops a fever, inactivity, limping, pain or swelling, I recommend that you consult a veterinarian for a physical examination and further treatment. A wound should never smell bad. If you notice any unpleasant smells or discharge then you should also have your pet examined by your local veterinary clinic.

Also think about your own hygiene when handling the animals' wounds; wash your hands before and after cleaning and preferably use disposable gloves.

It is also a good idea to ensure that the animal has clean surfaces in its basket and other resting areas.