Usually, dog bites can heal fairly quickly if they are minor, without serious implications. In case an infection spreads, it is because of the presence of more than five types of bacteria.
This is why it is highly recommended that wounds from dog bites need to be examined carefully and a doctor should be consulted to avoid developing any complications because of the infection. There are few red alarms like redness, swellings that can indicate if an infection has gone bad.
Related: How to Train your Dog NOT to Bite? – Stop Them to Bite!
Dog Bite Infection – How To Treat a Dog Bite?
Dog bites have high likelihood of going bad, even if the surface of the wound doesn’t seem bad. Once the wound gets infected, then it requires strict and immediate care. Here is the first aid that you need to perform if a dog bite occurs.
First Aid for Dog Bites
Just like other traumatic wounds, the first priority should be to stop bleeding from the gash. You need to immediately apply pressure on the bite, wipe it with a rag or clean cloth. If the bleeding stops, then wash the bite wound meticulously with water and soap.
After that, apply antibiotic or antiseptic ointment on the bite and wrap a bandage around it. In case the bite is severe and you are unable to stop bleeding, you need to immediately get to the emergency room, or the blood loss can be severed.
If bite by a dog you are not familiar with, you don’t only risk getting infection, the dog may also be harboring rabies virus. It can lead to complications that can be fatal if not treated immediately. Try to locate the owner if possible for getting information about the condition of the dog.
Here are the five symptoms that can show you if a dog bite has been infected.
- Red Streaks Leading Away From The Bite
If you start to notice red streaks that are originating from the spot of bite, which seem to get longer as time goes, you should head to a doctor as soon as possible. These streaks are indicators of poisoning in blood, which means that the infection has seeped into your system and now requires heavy antibiotics to cure.
- Increased Inflammation and Redness
An infected dog bite wound is likely going to continue getting swollen and the redness of the skin around the wound will also become severe. A healing wound will see a decline in the inflammation and redness of the area around the bite with time. If it does not subside after initial treatment, you need to go back to the doctor for reevaluation of the wound.
- Fever, Chills and Flu Symptoms
The symptoms produced by both rabies and systematic infections include chills, fever, and nausea. If you or one of your loved ones has started to experience these symptoms after a dog bite then you need to go to a doctor immediately.
- Visible Pus and Heat Radiating From Bite Spot
A dog bite gone bad usually starts to ooze out pus and you can feel heat radiating from the sight of the bite. This means that the bite has developed an infection which will worsen with every passing minute. The doctors will need to clean the wound and debride it as well as prescribe you antibiotics for the infection. If the infection is serious, the patient will have to undergo hospitalization until the infection is under control.
- Seeping Blood
Although, blood dripping from the bite wound is not necessarily a symptom of infection, it will still need to be looked at by a doctor. This can indicate that the wound has not closed yet properly and has not healed. The wound could still be infected and the doctor will take a look at the bite spot to evaluate it.
Special Considerations:
A dog bite should not be taken lightly as some people run the risk of developing serious conditions. If the bite victim is suffering from health conditions like weak immune system, diabetes, etc., they don’t have the ability to resist the invading bacteria and viruses from the bite. The can fall seriously sick even from minor bites.
The location of the bite can also have an effect on how the body reacts to it. Bites to the hands, neck or face area are more likely to catch infections.
