The possibility of infection is very high if another dog or animal bites your dog, not least because the saliva in most animals contains large quantities of bacteria and can easily spread a new infection through its bite. A small bite which may not appear particularly bad can seriously damage the tissue within the wound. Ignoring or taking such injuries lightly can have serious consequences on the health of your pet. Irrespective of size, any bite should be examined by your vet as quickly as possible, so that if the injury needs treatment infection can be diminished or avoided. Below there are five things that are useful to know:-
1. If a dog is in pain, its instinct is to growl, snarl or warn you off. You and members of your family will not be excluded from this so placing a muzzle on your dog is advisable if he has been bitten. The muzzle will prevent your dog from biting you and protect anyone else who goes near him. A temporary muzzle can be made with a bandage or similar material if you don't possess a muzzle. Tie the material around the dogs mouth to keep it closed making sure that he is still able to breathe. If the dog attempts to vomit or appears to have problems with breathing you will have no alternative other than to remove the muzzle immediately.
2. A smaller dog will not be able to wear a muzzle so wrap the animal in a towel and hold him firmly. At all times, make certain that your dog is able to breathe easily. If the dog is uncomfortable with the towel around him remove it periodically.
3. When you are sure the dog is not able to bite you, place a small amount of water-soluble jelly, such as KY, onto the wound. Using a disposable razor or electric clippers, carefully remove sufficient hair from around the bite, to expose the wound. You will then be able to clean the wound and letting air into it will assist with the healing process. Run lukewarm water over the wound for a few minutes to clean it and then dry it with some gauze or other sterile material. If the dog has had the bite for more than a day, use antibacterial soap to clean the wound as bacteria may have already entered it. Again rinse with lukewarm water and dry.
4. When you are sure that the wound is completely clean and dry, apply an antibiotic cream such as Neosporin which can be bought over-the-counter. If you don't have a bandage to hand use any clean cloth or sterile gauze, ensuring that it is not tied too tightly.
5. Your dogs inoculations and vaccinations should always be kept up to date, including rabies.
Monitor the healing progress of the bite and it is advised to take your pet dog to a vet as soon as possible and have the vet look at the wound to ensure all is well.
1. If a dog is in pain, its instinct is to growl, snarl or warn you off. You and members of your family will not be excluded from this so placing a muzzle on your dog is advisable if he has been bitten. The muzzle will prevent your dog from biting you and protect anyone else who goes near him. A temporary muzzle can be made with a bandage or similar material if you don't possess a muzzle. Tie the material around the dogs mouth to keep it closed making sure that he is still able to breathe. If the dog attempts to vomit or appears to have problems with breathing you will have no alternative other than to remove the muzzle immediately.
2. A smaller dog will not be able to wear a muzzle so wrap the animal in a towel and hold him firmly. At all times, make certain that your dog is able to breathe easily. If the dog is uncomfortable with the towel around him remove it periodically.
3. When you are sure the dog is not able to bite you, place a small amount of water-soluble jelly, such as KY, onto the wound. Using a disposable razor or electric clippers, carefully remove sufficient hair from around the bite, to expose the wound. You will then be able to clean the wound and letting air into it will assist with the healing process. Run lukewarm water over the wound for a few minutes to clean it and then dry it with some gauze or other sterile material. If the dog has had the bite for more than a day, use antibacterial soap to clean the wound as bacteria may have already entered it. Again rinse with lukewarm water and dry.
4. When you are sure that the wound is completely clean and dry, apply an antibiotic cream such as Neosporin which can be bought over-the-counter. If you don't have a bandage to hand use any clean cloth or sterile gauze, ensuring that it is not tied too tightly.
5. Your dogs inoculations and vaccinations should always be kept up to date, including rabies.
Monitor the healing progress of the bite and it is advised to take your pet dog to a vet as soon as possible and have the vet look at the wound to ensure all is well.
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