Dogs are furry, cute and loyal companions. While most dogs are friendly animals, certain dog breeds can be ferocious and can cause serious injuries to the people they attack. A dog bite is known to cause grave injuries, especially if it is near the face or neck. To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to treat the injury right away.
It might be possible that in some cases, the people might be able to administer their injury themselves through first aid. However, in other cases immediate medical treatment is needed depending on the wound. Either way, it is important to follow certain steps right away in order to treat the wound and also to reduce the risk of infection.
First Aid – It is the first step that is needed to be taken to treat the dog bite. It is important to keep the injured area elevated and to place a clean towel in order to stop bleeding. It is also required to wash the wound carefully with soap and water so that the wound does not spread. Applying a bandage to the wound and an antibiotic ointment to the injury helps in preventing the infection.
Medical Assistance – It is very essential to visit a vet to get the injury examined properly. A vet will be able to examine whether the injury was deep and has led to the damage of muscles, nerves or bones. The vet will be able to clean the wound thoroughly and remove any dirt or bacteria present because of the wound. You may be required to take antibiotics for 7 to 14 days which can only be prescribed by a vet in order to prevent the infection.
Exchanging Information – Exchanging information about the dog from the owner in case of a dog bite helps greatly to verify about the furball’s vaccination history. If the dog is up to date with vaccinations, the risk of getting heavily infected after a bite is reduced. But, if the dog is not vaccinated timely and is particularly a street dog, then there are chances that these dogs may infect you with rabies. So, it is important to know about the details of the dog for the proper treatment of the wound.
Documenting The Dog Bite – Documentation is also a key component of what needs to be done after a dog bite. It is required to document the injuries associated with the bite, which includes visible as well the effects of those injuries such as pain, inability to move and likewise. Documentation can be in the form of photos, professional written entries and medical records. These documents related to the incident helps to assess the amount of compensation you deserve in account of those injuries.
General Precautions – It is not possible to anticipate when a street dog will bite you. However, it is always advisable to adopt certain precautionary measures to avoid such incidents. A street dog can bite a person out of fright. Avoid teasing a dog! You must also avoid eye contact with a barking dog. It may seem that you are going to attack the dog. Running in front of a barking dog also results in a dog bite as it angers the dog unexpectedly more.
Follow Up On Treatments – In case of a dog bite, it is required to take anti-rabies injections on time before the wound spreads further. It is important to visit the physician regularly as a part of routine follow-up treatment. Proper cleaning of the wound is necessary at regular intervals so that the risk of infections are reduced. Visiting the vet regularly will also help in understanding any signs of ongoing infections pertaining as an account of a dog bite. The experts are able to well examine the wound and provide further required assistance which cannot be taken care of in a single visit.
Contacting Animal Control – Animal control can be of great help in gathering the information about the medical history of a stray dog. They can also help in the sterilization of the dogs in that particular area. This helps in reducing the risk of infections caused by them. The risk of getting heavily infected after being bitten by a stray dog is higher than that of a pet dog. Hence, animal control can help in keeping the dogs up to date with vaccinations.
Author Bio
Esha Sinha is a seasoned writer who has over the years contributed quality content on various high-profile websites. She has particularly excelled in niches like Fashion, Business, Entrepreneurship, Education, Pet Healthcare etc. Her professionalism, four year’s experience, and expertise make her one of the most sought-after content writers in the field.
