Although dogs are generally mild-mannered animals who only want cuddles and playtime, there are those who may strike. Whether it’s your own dog or you’re bitten by the dog of a stranger, it’s nevertheless shocking.
Depending on the severity of the bite, you may find yourself with a serious injury. It’s vital that you take the correct steps to avoid infection. What to do if you are bitten by a dog? Here are the steps that you should take.
Find Safety
If the dog bites once and retracts, then it’s important to try to get to safety like behind a closed door and scream for help.
In some cases, the dog may be aggressive beyond control. If they are still gripping onto you with your teeth, it’s important to avoid pulling away. When you pull away, they can dig their teeth even deeper, resulting in a worse injury.
Experts recommend resorting to self-defense which involves grabbing something nearby to hit the dog with. Hopefully, the situation doesn’t resort to this point, but if it does, you should fight as if your life depended on it. Dog attacks can be fatal!
Determine Whether You Need Hospitalization
Some dog attacks may be so serious that you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Since rabies is a serious concern, the doctor will want to know the circumstances of the attack. They will look at your wounds and give you a tetanus shot if necessary.
Depending on the severity of the bite, stitches may be in order. Unfortunately, this means that you may have scarring due to the bite.
Apply Pressure
As with all wounds, you should apply pressure to flush out the bacteria and slow the bleeding. Try to find a clean, sterile cloth if possible. The last thing that you want is to get something in your wound that could worsen your condition.
Wash and Apply Antibiotic Cream
Once you’ve managed to slow down the bleeding, wash the affected area with mild soap and warm water. Don’t scrub too hard, but be sure that you’ve managed to remove any remaining bacteria.
Following washing your wound, apply antibacterial cream. If you don’t have any at your home, go to the store and buy some. If your bite becomes infected, in extreme cases, you may even require amputation. Don’t let it get to this point!
Wrap The Wound
It’s essential to keep your wound wrapped and protected. You should wash your wound at least once a day and keep it covered in a sterile bandage, protecting it from rubbing anything or getting dirty. Ultimately, the most important thing to do is keeping your wound clean and covered!
