dog bites are common and most often happen to children. cat bites are less common but have a higher risk for infection. most other animal bites are caused by stray or wild animals, such as skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats. bites that cause a puncture wound are more likely to become infected. because of the risk for infection, you should see a health care provider within 24 hours for any bite that breaks the skin. if you are caring for someone who was bitten: for deeper wounds, you may need stitches. if the infection has spread, you may receive antibiotics through a vein (iv). for a bad bite, you may need surgery to repair the damage. they will decide whether the animal needs to be captured and isolated. some wounds will require surgery to properly clean and close, and even some minor bites may need stitches.
if you have been bitten by a wild or stray animal, contact your provider right away. see your provider within 24 hours for any bite that breaks the skin. mammalian bites. rosen’s emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice. bites. mandell, douglas, and bennett’s principles and practice of infectious diseases. 9th ed. also reviewed by david zieve, md, mha, medical director, brenda conaway, editorial director, and the a.d.a.m. a licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
dog bites can cause significant injury to the skin and soft tissues. even a bite that does not break the skin can cause crushing or bruising injuries to the underlying soft tissues. wounds that appear to be minor on the surface can be deceptive and may have the potential to be life threatening, depending on the location of the injury.
antibiotics may be prescribed for wounds that have penetrated the skin depending on the location of the wound and the duration between bite time and presentation to your veterinarian. most wounds are painful and it is more humane for your animal to be given some sort of pain medication, a sedative, or anesthetic before attempting to assess the extent of the injuries. if your dog’s wounds have been closed with sutures, you will need to keep the area clean and dry. if you have been instructed to clean the wounds, use extreme care since these wounds may be painful and the pet may bite out of pain or fear.
stop the wound from bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth. wash the wound. use mild soap and warm, running water. apply after 24 to 48 hours, gently wash the wound with clean water 2 times a day. do not scrub or soak the wound. don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can the goal of treatment is to reduce the severity of any infection that develops. this will be accomplished by cleaning the wounds, removing any dead or severely, dog bite wound healing stages, dog bite wound healing stages, level 2 dog bite treatment, what to do if your dog bites you and breaks the skin, minor dog bite treatment.
i’ve been bitten by a dog — what should i do? looking at the wound to see if the skin is broken or not. washing the wound to prevent infection wound care stop the wound from bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth. wash the wound. use mild soap and warm, running water. apply an if the bite is already bleeding, apply a clean cloth to the wound and gently press down to stop the flow. follow up with an, home remedy for dog bite, how to treat a puncture wound on a dog at home, bitten by a dog do i need a tetanus, pictures of infected dog bites. if a dog bites you, take these steps right away:wash the wound. slow the bleeding with a clean cloth.apply over-the counter antibiotic cream if you have it.wrap the wound in a sterile bandage.keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor.change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound. dog bite treatmentsplace a clean towel over the injury to stop any bleeding.try to keep the injured area elevated.wash the bite carefully with soap and water.apply a sterile bandage to the wound.apply antibiotic ointment to the injury every day to prevent infection.
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