The first thing to do after a dog bite is to thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes to reduce infection risk, then control bleeding with pressure, apply antibiotic cream (if available), and cover with a clean bandage; seek medical attention immediately, especially for deep wounds, bites on the head/face/hands, or if unsure about the dog's rabies status, as professional cleaning, antibiotics, tetanus shots, or rabies treatment might be needed.
For dog bite wounds, immediately wash the area with clean water and mild soap. Apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent infection. Use butterfly bandages to close small wounds and keep them clean and dry. Monitor for symptoms such as redness, swelling, pus, or increased pain, which indicate infection.
A tetanus shot may be required if you have not had one within 10 years; if you are not sure when you had your last tetanus shot, and you've been bitten, you should get one within 72 hours after your injury. If bitten, but the bleeding is minor, cleanse and treat the wound as you would a minor wound.
For a dog teeth scratch, clean the area gently with mild soap and water rather than hydrogen peroxide, which can delay healing. Apply an antibiotic ointment if available and keep the wound covered with a clean bandage. Monitor for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth, or pus.
In summary, when facing an animal or dog bite, thoroughly irrigate the bite wound and consider the animal for special infectious risks. Only bites at high risk of infection need prophylaxis with a three-day course of standard-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate.
Redness and swelling around the bite area: This is a common sign of infection and may indicate inflammation and the body's response to bacteria in the wound. Pain and tenderness: If the bite wound is tender or painful to the touch, it may be a sign of infection or inflammation.
The dog should not encounter other animals or people other than the owner or caretaker for 10-days. What is this all about? Simply put it is the State rabies law and as long as the local Animal Inspector can confirm the biting dog is healthy after 10-days, the person or other animal bit has no risk of rabies.
If sterile saline is unavailable then tap water is better than nothing. You should avoid using products like Dettol and hydrogen peroxide as they damage tissue and will delay wound healing.
First Steps After a Dog Bite
Once there is no further risk of injury, it's time to assess the wound. If the wound is superficial and the skin isn't broken, it can be monitored at home and no further treatment is necessary. If the wound is bleeding or open: Apply direct pressure to control bleeding.
Do I need a rabies vaccine after a dog scratch? Yes, if the dog is unvaccinated or its status is unknown.
Knowing how quickly you need to get a tetanus shot if you've been injured can be the key to protecting your health and well-being. While the best timeframe is within 48 hours, it's never too late to consult with your healthcare professional and get the vaccination.
A bite from a dog increases the risk that tetanus bacteria can enter your body. If you don't get a vaccination and you develop tetanus, symptoms include: Muscle spasms, especially in the stomach. Difficulty swallowing.
Tetanus often begins with mild spasms in the jaw muscles (lockjaw). The spasms can also affect your chest, neck, back, and abdominal muscles. Back muscle spasms often cause arching, called opisthotonos.
Here's a list of things not to do after a dog attack.
When the injury is anything but superficial, it's a good idea to see a doctor for dog bite injuries for proper dressing and injury care. Of course, if you develop an infection or the injury becomes more serious, it's essential to seek medical attention.
What to do after an animal or human bite
Risks of Infection After a Dog Bite
In general, infections occur when bacteria, germs, or other spreadable diseases can enter the body, usually using an open gash on the skin. According to the Academy of Pediatrics, infection occurs in about 10 to 15 percent of dog bites.
The type of care needed depends on how deep the bite is and the type of animal that caused it. You may need medicine to fight infection. Or you may need a tetanus shot or rabies shots.
Even if you have been bitten a few days, weeks or months ago, it is never too late to start. The rabies virus can incubate for several years before it causes symptoms. If you wait until you get symptoms, it will be too late – there is no treatment for established rabies …
General Animal Bite/Scratch Management
Bites or scratches should be immediately washed with soap (preferably an antiseptic soap, such as chlorhexidene-Nolvasan® or Betadine®-povidone iodine) and running water. Bites or scratches that result in bleeding should be thoroughly scrubbed as above for at least 15 minutes.
Increased pain in the days following the bite. The onset of fever-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, chills or shakes. Drainage from the wound, such as clear liquid or pus. Swelling, tenderness and general redness around the bite wound, which may include red streaks moving away from it under the skin.
Apply antibiotic ointment and sterile band-aid
Keep the wound bandaged to stay as clean as possible. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, increased pain and fever.
Although rare, rabies vaccine failures in animals do occur. Therefore, even animals with a history of vaccination should be observed for 10 days after they bite or scratch a person.
Animal bites are always considered grossly contaminated. If a wound can be properly irrigated and disinfected, antibiotics are not always recommended. If a wound cannot be properly irrigated and disinfected, antibiotics should be considered.