What to Do When a Dog Bites You: Ways to Prevent Infection

Dogs are a great family pet, but they are still animals and can be unpredictable at times. If you have been bitten by your own dog or by someone else’s, it is not the same as any other cut and should be treated differently. In America, nearly five million people are bitten every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of those who are bitten, 1 out of 5 require medical attention. 

Since prevention is always the best medicine, to avoid a dog bite, it is always best to be cautious around dogs. To prevent being bitten:

  • Choose a dog breed that tends to have a stable temperament for a pet
  • Don’t go near dogs that you don’t know
  • Don’t leave your child alone with an unfamiliar dog
  • Don’t ever try to play with a dog while they are eating or attempt to play with a mother who is feeding her puppies
  • If you are going to approach a dog, do so slowly and with caution, without making any quick movements
  • If a dog becomes aggressive or agitated, walk away slowly and don’t look it in the eye

If you are bitten by a dog

So what to do when you get bitten by a dog? The first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Even if you are bitten by your own dog at home, infections from dog bites are very common. If the bite is deep or if you were bitten by a dog that you don’t know, then seeing a doctor is even more critical. Often, dog bites cause infections that will require you to take an antibiotic.

Before you head to the doctor:

  • Try to stop the bleeding by wrapping the bite with a clean towel
  • Keep the bite elevated above your heart, if possible
  • Wash the site with soap and water
  • Put on a bandage 
  • Put antibiotic ointment on it if it has stopped bleeding

What your doctor will need to know when you go to see them

Your Doctor is going to need to ask you some questions about your dog bite. They might seem odd, but they are usually in your best interest. It is especially important that you let them know if you have any preexisting conditions. Liver disease, for example, can increase your risk of infection. They may want to know:

  • Who the owner of the dog was
  • If the dog was up to date on their rabies shot
  • If the bite was provoked or unprovoked
  • If you have any underlying conditions that might make your immune system weak

The doctor will need to examine the wound to see if there was any damage to the tendons, nerves, bones or muscles. They will then have to wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris and bacteria as well as removing any tissue from the wound that might lead to an infection.

Since rabies is a very serious illness, although rare, if you don’t know the owner of the dog, then it might be required that you receive a rabies vaccine. You will also need to ensure that your tetanus shot is up to date.

If you need stitches

If the bite is severe enough, it might be necessary for you to have stitches. Stitches for dog bites are highly controversial. Although stitches can help to reduce scarring, closing up the wound will increase the risk of infection. Whether or not the doctor will decide to suture the wound is dependent on where the dog bite is and how necessary stitches are to the healing process. Very deep bites must be addressed and might require plastic surgery if the wound leaves a scar.

Some doctors might prescribe you antibiotics as a preventative measure, typically for about seven to fourteen days depending on the severity of the bite. They also might require that you come back to have the bite examined once it begins to heal.

If a dog bites you, it is a good idea to try to find its owner. If you can find out who the dog belongs to, then you can gain peace of mind knowing that the dog does not have rabies. Avoiding a rabies vaccination shot is one less painful thing you will have to endure. 

Most dog bites are not that serious, but if they are left unchecked, they can become a problem very quickly. Make sure to have your dog bite looked at, even if you think that it is no big deal. Things that might not look very bad, once infected, can quickly become life threatening.

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