Do you know what to do if you get a dog bite? In the US nearly 5 million people are bitten each year with varying degrees of severity.
If you have ever been bitten by your dog, whether small or large, you know that the pain is very great and can cause injuries and serious infections if not treated properly. Learning first aid when such an accident happens prevents it from becoming a serious injury, especially if you don't know the dog that bit you.
The first thing we think of when a person is bitten by a dog is the risk of contamination by the rabies virus. There are other complications besides rabies that the bite can cause. Injuries caused by large dogs that have a lot of jaw strength can cause bacterial infection in the wound or traumatic injury to the skin, vessels, nerves, tendons and muscles.
Want to know how to care for a dog bite wound and minimize a serious infection? Keep reading this article.
Dog bite first aid tips
1- If there is bleeding, stop with a clean cloth or compress until the bleeding stops.
2- Wash well with running water and neutral soap for at least 5 minutes, even if the pain is intense, it is essential to wash the wound site well, it removes viruses and bacteria that can cause serious illness. If the bleeding does not stop, it is necessary to go to the hospital immediately. The wound must be washed even if it has not bled.
Watch for signs of infection, such as swelling, pus, and redness. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor.
3- Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution, or alcohol and bandage the wound, keeping it clean and dry.
4- Deep and extensive lesions need to be saturated. In case of injuries that are getting worse over time, they should be treated by a doctor, as he will assess which type of treatment is appropriate. Antibiotic treatment may be indicated as a prophylactic measure, that is, before there are signs of infection.
Dogs are known as "man's best friend", however, the way they have to defend themselves is often through bitting, regardless of breed, size or temperament.
Dogs can bite for a number of reasons, fear, fighting for territory, jealousy of the owner, pain or suffering aggression. A wagging tail doesn't always mean he's friendly and won't bite. Avoid approaching or petting a dog you don't know without the owner's supervision.
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Get to know the https://dogshelpingdogs.club/project and be part of this animal protection club!
Daniela Ferreira
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