Treating Dog Bites
Dogs are formidable predators as the capability of the teeth and the jaws to deliver up to 450 pound pressure can create serious injuries. When the strong jaws of the dog have locked on its victim, the needle sharp teeth can literally tear the flesh away. Depending on the body part bitten, the dog bite can cause lifelong injuries that will limit the victim’s mobility. A serious dog bite can even kill a person. When a dog sinks its teeth on the flesh of the victim, bacteria will be injected on the deep puncture wounds causing infections and viral diseases. One of the life threatening consequences of dog bite is rabies.
Because of humans’ constant interaction with dogs, dog bites cannot be totally prevented. Children and dogs form a close bond but children are the ones commonly bitten by their own dogs. So, how do you treat a dog bite?
Dog bite victims have to have first aid to prevent infection but it would be necessary to remove the victim away from the dog first. A dog bite can either be deep puncture wound or lacerations. Because bacteria is injected when the dog sinks the teeth to the flesh, it is common for puncture wounds to get infected. Dog bites can result to serious skin lacerations.
Puncture wounds normally don’t bleed profusely thus the wound has to be allowed to bleed for a few minutes to flush out the bacteria from the wound. Heavy bleeding is common in dog bites that have created skin lacerations. Bleeding has to be stemmed by applying direct pressure on the wound. To prevent infection, wounds resulting from dog bites must be thoroughly cleaned.
Stitching of the lacerations would have to be done in medical facilities but just the same, the wound has to be cleaned properly as the several hours that the patient has to wait for medical treatment would give the bacteria the chance to become established in the wound. Use antibacterial soap on the bite wound for about five minutes to minimize the risk of infection. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with sterile gauze. A dog bite victim will be in pain. The pain that is mostly caused by the swelling will be minimized with an application of ice compress on the bite wound.
Dog bite victims will always be concerned with rabies more so if the dog’s immunization status is not verified. A person bitten by a stray dog must have to undergo a series of injections that constitute rabies therapy .
Find out more about how to treat a dog bite as well as dog first aid tips for lacerations and puncture wounds at Sarah’s Dogs.
