They may be our best friends, but your dog can bite on occasion. They are statistically more likely to bite children because they are more likely to provoke them. However, it is worth preventing dog bites as much as possible by showing everybody in your home how to spot the warning signs that your dog is irritated.
Dog bites can be painful when they catch you unawares, especially when they happen on a body part that you use frequently, like your leg or torso. If they are left untreated, dog bites can worsen over time.
This is because they are more likely to become infected and have trouble healing. Make sure you are following these steps when you need to treat a dog bite. Check out https://petdt.com/chihuahua-bites/ for more information.
Do You Know The Dog?
When you have been bitten by a dog, your doctor will ask you some questions about their health, vaccination history, and the breed. There are also added complications if the dog was not provoked. Make sure you are providing accurate details as much as possible.
It is also worth considering if the dog belongs to you, someone you know, or if they were a stray. Obviously, you are less likely to catch rabies or any other diseases from your own dog.
While rabies is less of a pressing concern with dog bites in the modern world, it is important to take preventative measures as much as possible. The medical treatment process will go more smoothly when you are sharing all the necessary details that you know about the dog in question.
Wash The Wound
The first thing you should do after a dog has bitten you is to wash the wound carefully using a very mild soap and warm water. It will sting at first, but you should keep the area clean and let the water run over the wound for a few minutes. This can remove any debris and significantly reduce the chances of developing an infection.
Slow Bleeding
If the bite has broken skin, and you are bleeding, you should find a clean towel to apply pressure. This stops the flow of blood and encourages your body to form a scab at the wound site.
Antibiotic Ointment
Next, it is recommended that you are using an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment around the wound, if you have any. This is another useful way of reducing the chances of infection, and encourage the body to start healing itself. Until you can see your doctor, you should keep the wound wrapped in a sterile bandage.
Signs Of Infection
Make sure you are checking the wound regularly for signs of infection. This could be anything from swelling, an unusual color change, fever, pus, a strange odor from the wound, or tenderness.
Even if you are keeping the site clean and wrapped in a sterile bandage, infection can still occur. Because of this, you will need to see your doctor shortly after you have been bitten.
Contact A Doctor
It is crucial that you phone your doctor as soon as possible when you have a dog bite. They can take a closer look at the wound and administer antibiotics if they feel it is necessary. As they are medically trained professionals, your doctor can also carefully clean the wound and remove dead tissue that can cause infection.
Additionally, your doctor can close the wound using sutures if it is needed in order to heal correctly. Preventative measures to avoid conditions such as rabies can be given in the form of vaccines, and your doctor may administer you a tetanus shot if you are not up-to-date.
There is also a chance that the bite wound can become infected due to the bacteria that is present in a dog’s mouth and teeth. A doctor can remove some of this potentially harmful bacteria if you see them within eight hours of experiencing the dog bite.
Summary
Dog bites can be incredibly painful and severe, and it is worth being aware of how to treat small wounds using first aid until you are able to visit your doctor. Try to be as open as possible when you are seeking medical assistance, and telling them everything you know about the dog in question.
This includes whether you know whose dog they are, and whether they were provoked. Remember to prevent dog bites by teaching everyone in your home how to approach unknown dogs, and how to see when your family dog is frustrated.
