Dog bites, as unfortunate as they are, occur more frequently than pet owners would like to admit.
Bite wounds occur during fights between dogs in London's parks and public spaces.
Knowing how to handle the situation properly is vital for the health and well-being of all involved.
Bite wounds from dogs might range from small scrapes and cuts to large gashes with substantial bleeding.
The severity of a bite depends on several factors, such as the aggressor’s size and strength, type of breed, and location of the dog bite.
When doubt creeps up regarding whether or not a skin penetration was caused by a dog bite, you should still proceed with great caution as this knowledge can prove critical in avoiding infection and other complications.
If you feel unable to manage your dog's wound, we would remind you that our out of hours vet provide consultations 7 days a week.
The primary symptoms of a dog bite wound will typically consist of one or more puncture marks from the canine’s teeth sinking into the skin. Other signs may include:
Keep in mind that some bite wounds may appear deceptive, causing mild initial symptoms but underneath harbor severe tissue damage.
When faced with a dog bite wound, you need to act quickly but remain as calm as possible. The following steps can help guide you through the immediate measures that should be taken post-bite:
Wash thoroughly with mild soap and copious amounts of water for about five minutes, letting the water flow over the bitten area to remove any debris or contaminants. If there are larger pieces of dirt or foreign objects embedded in the wound, carefully remove them using clean tweezers. Next, apply an antiseptic solution such as hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. Topping this off with a thin layer of antibiotic ointment will help prevent infection from creeping in.
Put on sterile gloves before proceeding to bandage the injured area. This should involve placing a gauze pad securely over the wound, then wrapping it with clean gauze or other non-stick dressing materials. You may use adhesive tape to hold everything in place, ensuring it is not too tight so as to impede circulation.
Depending on the severity of the dog bite wound, different actions might be required. Milder wounds can be managed at home with proper first aid and close monitoring for any changes that warrant medical attention. For this first aid, our emergency home vet is at your disposal.
On the other hand, deep punctures, heavily bleeding bites, or those that require stitches should have you seeking out professional assistance immediately.
Additionally, if the bitten person's tetanus vaccination is not up-to-date or if the dog's vaccination status is unknown, consulting with a medical professional is absolutely necessary.
Aside from the initial response and treatment after a dog bite incident, there are several extra measures one must keep in mind to ensure proper wound healing and recovery:
Frequent monitoring is key for all dog bite wounds – even those that seem minor at first glance. If you start noticing increased redness, swelling, heat around the bite area or oozing discharge, seek medical attention. These could be signs of infection.
A veterinarian might prescribe antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, which has been proven effective against common dog bite bacteria. For more severe cases, intravenous antibiotics and close observation in a hospital setting may be advised.
You should also not overlook the possibility of rabies transmission through dog bites. This deadly disease can infect humans via saliva from an infected dog entering open cuts or skin breaks. Symptoms of rabies typically appear 2-8 weeks after being bitten but without any treatment; it can become fatal to dogs and humans alike.
Determining the reason behind why the dog bit in the first place and addressing them should be high on your priority list. Consult a professional dog trainer, behaviorist, or a veterinarian with experience in canine behavior to establish the root cause and develop a plan that aims to correct these undesirable actions before they resurface.