Dog Bites and All There Is To Know

Have you ever experienced any dog bites when you play with your dog? This is a very common occurrence for most people who have dogs as pets. In between the tail wagging and the growling, you are bound to get a couple of scratches and bite marks. Alternatively, a dog on the street could attack you. If you fall into this category, then you need to know how to care for your wound to reduce the risk of being infected. You need to seek immediate medical attention.

The front teeth of the dog will grab your flesh and compress the tissue. The small teeth will then tear into the flesh causing the wound to appear jagged. If this wound becomes infected it could lead to severely detrimental effects. This read will help you know how to care for your wound if you ever get dog bites.

The Seven Ultimate Steps to Treating Dog Bites

Apply pressure on the wound. This should be done gently. It aims at making the wound release some blood. This will help in flushing out some harmful bacteria that has been introduced to the body through the canine and in the air.
Wash it thoroughly. Take note that this part is bound to cause some pain but it is very necessary. With the aid of mild soap and water, thoroughly clean your wound. Make sure that the soap is not scented as this might cause some irritation to the skin.
Reduce the bleeding. Since dog bites tear the flesh, the skin tissue is destroyed or damaged. This causes bleeding. You will need to reduce the bleeding. With the aid of a clean cloth, press it on the wound to slow down the bleeding process.
Apply antibiotic cream. You will need to buy some antibiotic cream to reduce the infection by protecting the open wound from bacteria. You can readily purchase this cream over the counter.
Wrap the wound. Once you apply the cream, use a sterile bandage to wrap up the wound. Keep it bandaged until you seek the help of a professional medic.
Replace the bandage daily. Your medic will examine you and might proceed to change your bandage afterwards. This is a very essential step as it helps the wound heal faster and prevents bacteria accumulation on the wound. Change it several times a day and make sure that the bandage you use is always sterile. This will prevent you from reintroducing bacteria in the body.
Be on the lookout for infections. Every time you change your bandage dressing, make sure that you analyze the state of your wound. This is a very essential part of bandage dressing replacement. It allows you to see the wound healing process. This will help you notice any weird looking discharge or smells that are signs of infections. It will help you treat the wound before it becomes worse. Other symptoms include redness, itchiness, swelling, fever, and even pains.

Visiting the Doctor

When you visit the doctor, they will want to get some information from you about the dog bite. Some of this information includes the following.

What do you remember about the dog that bit you?
How did it happen?
What did you do to the wound before you sought my help?

Dog bites are a risk factor for infection. Some of the possible bacteria that are introduced into the body system through this bite include Capnocytophaga, Pasteurella, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus. Additionally, the dogs that have not been vaccinated or that are feral are a potential risk of transmitting rabies. This is why the doctor needs more information about the dog to assess the type of treatment that will best suit your needs.

Dog bites have the highest statistic when it comes to animal bites. In the United States, this statistic is as high as 90% of the animal bites in the entire region. The injuries range from damaged blood vessels to nerves, bones, and even muscles. Never assume that just because your pet dog bit you and that it is vaccinated, that automatically means that you are safe. You need to figure out a way of reducing or preventing dog bites starting from applying preventive measures at your home. The following are some of the preventive measures that can be applied to reduce dog bites across the globe.

The Top Dog Bite Prevention Tips

Training and socializing dogs. Dogs need training and proper socializing with human beings to prevent them from attacking especially children between the ages of five and nine. This will make them be more at ease when they are in the presence of humans rather than the dogs feeling like they have to protect their territory.
Making children understand how to treat and behave around dogs. Children are very playful and most of the time they do not see the consequences of their actions. This will help them know when not to approach a dog and ways of not provoking dogs to attack.
Stay away from dogs that are not familiar. This is because dogs are unpredictable and can when they feel anxious or scared; they are bound to attack to protect themselves or their territory. This is especially the case for dogs that are pregnant or with their puppies. They tend to be very protective and are prone to attack anyone who approaches their puppies.
Do not run away from a dog while screaming. This might agitate the dog and make it more prone to attack and severely bite you.
Lie still when a dog knocks you over. This will help the dog understand that you are not an enemy and that you are surrendering. Dogs are territorial creatures that like dominating. If a dog ever knocks you over do not stand up against it and try to retaliate. This will agitate it even more and make it assert its dominance over you. Simply roll into a ball (Fetus position) and maintain this position; lie very still until it leaves.
Dog compatibility with the family. Dog breeds have varying personalities. There are dogs that are aggressive and those that are timid. You might want to use this to select a pet dog. This is because aggressive dogs are not compatible with families that have infants and minor children. They are bound to be agitated and attack.
Dogs need to acknowledge your presence. Approaching a dog with quick movements, from behind, or on top of their heads will make them feel attacked. When you approach a dog do it slowly and make sure that it sees you approaching. It may sit down, lie down, or lower its head. If it does any of these then you are welcome to touch it and be within its territory. However, when you approach a dog and it starts becoming agitated, growls and assumes a pouncing position, then you might want to stop and start retaliating very slowly as you face the dog.

If you feel like you need to consult with a personal injury lawyer, it might help answer any legal questions or concerns you may have.

Dog Bites and All There Is To Know