What Should You Do If a Dog Bites You?

by Ronel Forbes

January 5, 2023

Have you ever experienced an unexpected dog bite? Here is all you need to know to handle a dog bite incident so it doesn’t spiral out of control.

Dog attacks are an unfortunate byproduct of more establishments and public spaces being pet-friendly. Maybe you provoked the dog by accident. Perhaps the dog felt uncomfortable or was acting out. It never hurts to be ready in case you or someone else suffers a dog bite, regardless of how it occurs.

Reduce the risk of infection by treating the dog bite

Take a deep breath.
Avoid the dog as much as you can to avoid getting bitten again.
Apply pressure to the dog bite site with sterile gauze or a clean cloth to reduce any bleeding. Continue to elevate the bite area.
For five to ten minutes, wash the wound with warm water and mild soap.
Once the bleeding has stopped, apply antibiotic cream to the site to avoid bacterial infection.
Use sterile gauze or a bandage to cover the wound.

Be wary of loose or stray dogs

Be cautious if you see a dog that is on the loose. Lost pets may exhibit agitation and fear. Even the appearance of friendliness could frighten the dog into fleeing or even attacking. Your best option if the dog exhibits signs of fear is to call animal control or the police while keeping the dog in view.

This kind of restraint can be quite challenging for dog lovers. particularly if the dog appears frightened or in danger. Remember that in order to assist the dog, you must also maintain composure and safety. Reacting hastily may only increase the danger to both you and the dog.

Teach kids to stay away from weird animals.

Your children may be less wary of dogs in public places if you have a pet at home. Explain to your kids that not all dogs play in the same way and that you should always ask the owner whether it’s okay to meet a new dog.

This will teach them good, safe manners. Make sure your kids are being kind and respectful of the dog by being present as they play with it.

A decent dog might become anxious even in response to loud noises or unexpected movements. Some dogs who are usually calm can turn aggressive very rapidly to defend their owners or themselves from perceived dangers. Make sure your youngster isn’t putting a dog through unnecessary stress whether you are playing in a park or walking on a public street.

Taking care of your family and pets.

It’s wonderful to have furry family members. In actuality, having a pet can have a number of significant health advantages. The benefits of having a pet in your life are numerous, from emotional support to daily walks. In these related articles, you may find out more about taking care of your entire family.

Please read: PROTECTING YOUR PET FROM A HOUSE FIRE

Ask someone to take care of the dog if it also requires care.

Make sure the dog is taken care of so it doesn’t hurt itself or anybody else more if the dog that bit you turns out to be injured or in poor condition. If the dog is a stray, call animal control to manage it for everyone’s protection.

If it’s a pet instead, have someone tend to its wounds with first aid and get the dog medical care as quickly as you can.

Obtain details regarding the dog bite incident.

Obtain as much information as you can about what happened. You can then receive payment for any medical procedures required as a result of the dog bite. Ensure you obtain:

The identity of the dog owner and their contact information
Names and contact information for each witness
Images of the dog, the wounds, and the surroundings, in particular, those that are consistent with your account of the event
Information on the dog owner’s pet insurance is needed to make a claim

In this manner, you can also consult a personal injury lawyer if the dog owner’s pet insurance company isn’t making a reasonable settlement offer.

Get medical help right away for the dog bite.

Here are three ways to seek medical help depending on the circumstance:

Option 1: If you’re by yourself or have severe bites, call 911 or 117. For instance, you might be in severe pain, have a laceration, or be bleeding profusely.
Option 2: If you don’t already have a primary care physician, choose option 2 and ask someone to drive you to the closest clinic.
Option 3: Arrange to be driven to your primary care physician.

No later than eight hours after the dog bit you, seek medical assistance. When you arrive at the physician’s office, be ready to provide the following details:

An account of the dog and the location of the bite. Was the dog a stray or a pet? What breed was the dog? Was it behaving oddly? Did the dog exhibit rabies symptoms? What did it look like? If it is your dog, when was the last time it had rabies shots?

Your medical background and vaccination history. Your doctor will likely inquire about your most recent tetanus shot, any medication allergies, and any other health issues that an animal bite could exacerbate.

Bacteria from bites increases the chance of infection.

The majority of dog bites spread pathogens like capnocytophaga, streptococcus, pasteurella, and staphylococcus.

Your doctor will want to know specifics about the dog that bit you because unvaccinated and feral dogs can both potentially carry and transmit rabies. According to Doctors, treating a dog bite ultimately involves preventing microorganisms from infecting the patient.

This is what to anticipate from the doctor’s appointment.

Like at the beginning of every medical visit, your doctor will ask you a number of questions to determine how you are feeling. The doctor will want to know more about the dog that bit you in this instance and how it happened.

Even if you’ve already cleaned the bite site, the doctor will still examine the wound to look for any signs of infection.

The doctor will then inquire as to when you last had a tetanus vaccination. If it has been longer than five years, he will probably advise that you get one right away. If the infection from the animal bite is severe, your doctor may suggest you to receive a booster shot if you have had one for tetanus.

Conclusion

Do not avoid being around dogs because you fear getting bitten. Because it’s likely that the majority of dogs you meet will be amiable and well-trained by their owners. When in doubt, always check with the dog’s owner before petting them, and stay away from strange or stray dogs.

Keep these suggestions in mind so that, in the unlikely event that you or someone else is bitten, you’ll be able to assist or even save a life.