dog bite wound care
dog bite wound care

 If a Dog Bites You, Do These 7 Things Now

Infection is the biggest danger

You're twiddling with your dog, and somehow, between growls and tail wags, it can happen. Those canine teeth can bite or scratch. Alternatively, you'll be walking down a street and an unknown mutt can attack all of sudden.
Either way, there are steps you would like to require directly to treat the wound and reduce the danger of infection. You'll need professional medical attention an equivalent day.
Dog's front teeth will grab and compress your tissue, and their smaller teeth also can tear your skin. The result's an open, jagged wound. If the wound becomes infected, it's often severe, says medicine physician Stephen Sayles III, MD.
The No. 1 concern with these bites is an infection, he says. You may have hospitalization and need intravenous antibiotics. you ought to always see a medical care provider if you're bitten.
No matter what, confirm you see a doctor within eight hours of a bite, he says. Waiting longer raises your infection risk. If you've got diabetes or are immunocompromised, your infection risk is even greater.
7 steps to treating a bite
If a dog bites you, take these steps right away:
1. Wash the wound. Use mild soap, and run warm water over it for five to 10 minutes.
2. Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth.
3. Apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream if you've got it.
4. Wrap the wound during a sterile bandage.
5. Keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor.
6. Change the bandage several times each day once your doctor has examined the wound.
7. await signs of infection, including redness, swelling, increased pain, and fever.
What will your doctor do?
Your doctor will want to understand more about the dog that bit you and the way it happened. He or she is going to also likely clean the wound again, apply antibiotic ointment and prescribe antibiotics, like Augmentin, if there's an infection concern.
After any bite, you ought to confirm you recognize when your last tetanus shot was which you're up-to-date. While a tetanus immunization is sweet for 10 years, Dr. Sayles notes, your doctor may recommend a booster if the wound is dirty and its been quite five years since your last shot.
Depending on the wound, your doctor can also recommend stitches. Generally, though, dog wounds are left hospitable heal unless they're on the face or if they might leave particularly severe scars if left unsutured.
Bacteria from bites raise infection risk
Roughly 50% of dog bites introduce bacteria, including staphylococcus, streptococcus, and Pasteurella, also as capnocytophaga.
Unvaccinated and feral dogs also can potentially carry and transfer rabies, so your doctor will want to understand details about the dog that bit you.
Ultimately, Dr. Sayles says, caring for a bite is about keeping bacteria from causing an infection.