A dog bite can be dangerous. Therefore, you should know well about possible consequences and how to behave.
Although dogs have been domesticated by humans, they can bite and a dog bite can be decidedly painful and traumatizing.
It is said that the dog is man’s best friend. However, there are many cases when this pet attacks humans; the reasons for this are:
- self-defense, if he feels threatened or misinterprets human behavior,
- poor upbringing,
- trauma suffered in the past,
- disease (such as brain tumor).
In animals (especially mammals), the fact that they lick their wounds led to the myth that saliva has disinfectant properties.
However, each animal’s mouth is a depot of microbes (especially bacteria and fungi).
Pure saliva has disinfectant properties thanks to its protein structure.
Licking the wounds is a completely natural reaction in animals.
However, the saliva present in the dog’s bite is pure poison for humans, since we are not immune to the bacteria and microorganisms present in the dog’s mouth, which immediately leads to infection.
Even if most dog bites are not fatal, medical treatment usually needs to be given.
In addition to emergency care and wound cleaning, you may need after a dog bite:
- Antibiotic
- Tetanus vaccination and/or rabies vaccination.
The parts of the body that are most injured by bites are:
- in children: ears, face, nose, cheeks,
- in adults: legs, hands, fingers, arms and feet.
Contents
Risk of infection after a dog bite
The following are some types of bacteria that cause infection after a dog bite:
- Staphylococcus
- Eikenella
- Klebsiella
- Prevotella
- Capnocytophaga canimorsus
- Pasteurella
- Strep
- Corynebacterium
The bite of a stray or tamed dog can become even more dangerous if the dog is affected by rabies.
One of the initial symptoms of rabies in humans is hallucinations.
The hallucinations are followed:
- severe headache,
- Sweats
- Fever.
The symptoms are similar to those of influenza.
The person may also suffer from:
- muscle spasms,
- Water disgust.
In this situation, the best remedy is:
- immediate cleaning of the wound,
- Notification of the emergency doctor or you go to a hospital immediately.
Another common infection that spreads as a result of a dog bite is that of tetanus.
The signs of tetanus infection are:
- muscle spasms,
- high fever.
Sepsis (a type of blood poisoning) is another infection that can occur due to a dog bite.
The dog may have an infection called leishmaniasis, which is transmitted by a parasite. But the dog cannot transmit them to humans through the bite.
Symptoms of dog bite
The dog can bite without:
- a skin injury,
- to leave a bleeding.
In this case, infection does not occur, but inflammation with oedema (for example, a swollen hand or finger) may develop.
As a rule, a bruise or hematoma is formed because a rupture of the capillaries has occurred.
The swelling also occurs when biting with skin injury, but in this case the consequences can be more serious, especially if the dog has not been vaccinated.
With a skin injury, the symptoms are pain or burning in the affected area.
Inflammation of the skin and the secretion of bright liquid are the first signs that the wound is infected.
Another very common sign is the appearance of redness of the skin surrounding the dog’s bite.
The infection also leads to:
- Fever
- swollen lymph nodes.
These symptoms usually appear within 8 hours of the dog biting.
Within the first hours you should visit a hospital.
Therapy for dog bites
The treatment of the dog bite is important, otherwise you risk many complications.
The disinfectants used in the first treatment of infection of the dog bite are used to remove some bacteria.
Treatment of a dog bite without an open wound
Place an ice pack on the bite area for about 20 minutes.
Repeat this treatment three times for the first 24 hours.
Treatment of a dog bite that causes
a laceration In the case of a flesh wound, the skin has been injured by the penetration of the dog’s teeth.
Treatment must be given as soon as the person has fended off the dog or at least within eight hours of the bite.
Lock the dog in a cage and remove the affected person from the animal as much as possible.
Start treatment according to the guidelines of first aid.
If the person bleeds heavily, the bleeding must be stopped by pressing on the lesion.
If the bleeding stops:
- clean the bite area with an antibacterial or antiseptic solution (such as Braunol),
- cover with an antibiotic ointment on a sterile compress.
In the following days you have to renew the medication daily.
A pregnant woman should consult a doctor to determine the condition of the wound and take antibiotics at the first signs of infection.
Treatment of a dog bite that causes
a deep flesh wound This is a serious wound injury and must be treated immediately.
It has to be sutured and usually a visible scar remains.
This type of wound takes more time to heal than a laceration.
You should go to an emergency room immediately.
General treatment of dog bites
Antibiotic prophylaxis must be used to prevent infections that can be caused by bacteria.
The blood should be allowed to flow for a few minutes after the bite, as it helps to expel bacteria.
In addition to a wound, swelling and pain may occur, for which the doctor may prescribe painkillers.
The bite area should be kept in an elevated position to reduce swelling.
Most children should take an antibiotic (usually Augmentan) for prevention.
After the bite, the person might need a booster of the tetanus vaccination if the last one was more than 10 years ago.
Rabies
Since most dogs in Europe are vaccinated against rabies, there are no problems after a dog bite.
If a child has been bitten by a dog that may not have been vaccinated, a pediatrician and/or doctor should be consulted.
Within 48 hours of the bite, the child may need treatment with immunoglobulins for rabies and rabies vaccination if the dog cannot be found or the animal has not been vaccinated.
If you encounter a dog that may be suffering from rabies, the veterinarian can quarantine the animal for 10 days.
Natural remedies for dog bites
Along with medical care for a dog bite, some home remedies can be helpful for the quick healing of the bite.
- Apply a mixture of honey and turmeric to the wound.
The antiseptic properties of turmeric and the soothing properties of honey support faster healing. - Make a mixture for local edition. To do this, ground three walnuts, salt and an onion together.
Apply this paste to the wound and apply a bandage.
This mixture works like a detoxifier. - Consume three or four cloves of garlic three times a day to cure dog bites.
How long does the pain last? Prognosis
The recovery time depends on the severity of the injury and timely treatment.
If the bite has led to muscle, tendon or nerve injuries, it is possible that permanent aesthetic and functional damage remains. Otherwise, the skin may look like before in a few months.
What to do if the dog hurts someone?
Talking
to the injured person If the dog has injured someone, the dog must first be brought under control and the animal removed from the affected person. Talk to the person concerned to find out what injury has occurred.
Provide
medical assistance Check the severity of the injury and immediately take the patient to an emergency room for treatment.
Finding out what really
happened When you take the person to the hospital and treatment is underway, you should ask the person what actually happened.
It would be good if there were a witness.
Pay
expenses If the person was bitten by the dog and is not responsible for it, you should cover the cost of medical care.
However, you do not have to pay if you think that the dog is not at fault and has only protected itself against an intruder.
In court, the judge determines who bears responsibility and, if necessary, who is to pay damages.
Knowledge of the legal situation
The judge takes into account various aspects in order to clarify the question of guilt:
- the person provoked the dog;
- the person concerned was aware that the dog could have bitten, but he nevertheless took the risk of approaching the animal;
- the person has forcibly entered the house;
- the person concerned was careless and was therefore bitten;
- the person has violated various laws.
Consequences and responsibilities / consult lawyer
Whatever the law says, one should take responsibility for the dog’s actions.
This means you have to deal with the situation as if the dog were a child.
One should pay for what he does, apologize and do everything possible to reduce the pain.
Do not remain in a defensive position unless you believe that the person concerned is making a claim for no apparent reason.
If you are sure that the dog was provoked and the person concerned is guilty, you should consult a lawyer and discuss the case to decide how to proceed.
Talk to
the insurance company Some insurance policies have coverage for physical damage caused by a dog bite. You should check the incident with your insurance representative.
Talk to
the veterinarian It may be necessary to take the dog to a veterinarian if the animal is injured or infected, or even if it is believed that the dog’s behavior is unusual.
Education of the dog
It takes time to teach a dog how to behave in public. If the dog is to blame, it is necessary to better educate the animal in order to avoid mistakes of this kind in the future.
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