Dog Bite Treatment and Guide

To reduce your risk of bacterial infection, it is important to treat any dog ​​bite wound as soon as possible. You should also examine the wound to determine the extent of the wound.

In some situations, you may be able to treat it yourself by administering first aid. In other situations, you will need immediate medical attention.

After a bite, you may feel uncomfortable, whether it is from your dog or someone else. If you need medical attention, call for help instead of taking yourself to a doctor or hospital.

Keep reading to learn what to do after a dog bite and how to avoid getting an infection.

Inquire about the dog’s vaccination history.

Keeping distance between yourself and your dog is the first thing you should do after someone bites you. By doing so, you can reduce the likelihood of being bitten again.

It is crucial to find out if the dog has received a rabies vaccine once the threat has passed.

Get the owner’s name, phone number, and veterinarian’s contact information when you inquire about the dog’s vaccination history if they are in the area. Additionally, request to see identification if possible.

Ask anyone who witnessed the attack if they know the owner’s address and if the dog is not with them.

Of course, there is also the possibility of being bitten by your own dog. For this reason, make sure to keep your dog up to date with rabies vaccinations. Sometimes, even gentle, friendly animals bite.

Provide first aid

The severity of the bite will determine the type of first aid you give.

If your skin is not broken, wash the area with soap and warm water. As a precaution, you can also dab the area with antibacterial lotion.

If your skin is broken, gently press on the wound to draw out some of the bleeding, and wash the area with warm soap and water. This will help to remove any germs.

If the bite is already bleeding, cover the wound with a fresh cloth and apply gentle pressure to stop the flow. Then apply antibacterial lotion, and then wrap it in a sterile bandage.

Small dog bite wounds should also be checked for signs of infection until they are gone.

• red
• swollen

• warm
• tender to the touch

If the wound gets worse, you have pain, or you have a fever, see a doctor immediately.

Steps in Dog Bite Treatment

• Use warm water and soap to clean the wound.
• To stop bleeding, gently place a fresh cloth over the wound.
• Dress the wound with an antibacterial ointment.
• Apply a sterile bandage.
• Watch for signs of infection.
• If the wound is severe or you suspect infection or possible exposure to rabies, seek help.

When to seek help

One in five dog bites requires medical attention.

Seek medical attention for any dog ​​bite that:

• Brought by a dog with an unclear history of receiving a rabies vaccine, or a dog that is acting strangely or seems ill; it causes severe pain; it exposes bone, tendons, or muscles; it results in functional impairment such as inability to bend fingers; it appears red, swollen, or inflamed; it leaks pus or fluid

Additionally, seek medical attention if you:

• Don’t remember the date of your most recent tetanus vaccination
• Feel dizzy, weak, or confused,
• Or have a fever

What side effects can a dog bite cause?

Dog bites can cause many problems. These include rabies, infection, nerve or muscle damage, and more.

Infection

Any dog ​​can have bacteria in their mouth, including:

• Capnocytophaga
• Staphylococcus
• Pasteurella

There have been no recent reports of MRSA being spread by Capnocytophaga dog bites, although dogs can also carry the virus.

If a dog bite breaks the skin, these bacteria can lead to bacterial infection.

People with diabetes or weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to infection. If a dog has bitten you and shows signs of infection, seek medical attention.

Capnocytophaga muscle and nerve damage

Capnocytophaga can damage blood vessels beneath the skin, muscles, and nerves with a deep bite. This can happen even if the wound appears small, such as from a puncture wound.

Capnocytophaga bones broken

Large dog bites can cause fractures, splinters, or broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, or feet.

If you think you have a broken bone, you should always seek immediate medical attention.

Rabies

Rabies is a dangerous virus that damages the central nervous system. It can be fatal within a few days of infection if left untreated.

If a dog has bitten you and you don’t know their vaccination history or they are not up to date on their rabies shots, seek medical attention immediately.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria. It is rare in the United States, where children are routinely vaccinated. Adults should get a tetanus booster shot every ten years.

Scarring

If a dog bite tears the skin, it can cause scarring to occur. In many instances, the appearance of mild scarring will lessen over time.

Severe scarring, or scars that occur in visible areas such as the face, can be reduced through medical techniques such as grafting or plastic surgery.

Death

The number of dog bite deaths each year in the U.S. is very small. Children under the age of ten account for approximately 70% of dog bite deaths when they occur.

Is rabies vaccination necessary?

If you have been bitten by a dog that shows signs of rabies, such as erratic behavior or foaming at the mouth, you should get a rabies vaccine.

When you get prompt medical attention, rabies, a potentially fatal illness, can be effectively prevented.

Thanks to widespread vaccination and prevention efforts, rabies in humans is uncommon in the U.S. and is not usually spread by dogs. It makes sense to get a follow-up rabies vaccine if you or your doctor are concerned that you may have contracted rabies from a dog bite.

The vaccine is given in four injections over a period of several weeks (Trusted Source). The course of treatment also includes additional injections of rabies immune globulin.

How to avoid getting sick how to avoid getting sick

Dangerous bacteria can enter the body through dog bites. If left untreated, this can lead to serious and sometimes fatal infections.

It is important to wash the wound immediately after the bite and apply topical antibiotics such as povidone-iodine to broken skin.

Change the bandage daily and keep the wound covered.

Watch the wound for signs of infection. Symptoms may begin to appear 24 hours or 14 days after the bite, depending on the type of infection.

Infection can spread throughout the body and can spread quickly. If you notice any signs of infection, see your doctor immediately. You may need intravenous or oral antibiotics.

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