What to do if bitten by a dog

How to stop bleeding

Cover the bleeding wound with some kind of dressing, clean towel, or any tissue. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, call an ambulance.

If the blood stops, wash the wound thoroughly with soap under running water and cover with a clean bandage.

Hold the bitten arm or leg above the level of the heart. This will reduce the swelling around the wound and the chances of infection spreading.

What to discuss with the dog owner

What to find out

Name and phone number. You will need this to find out if your dog is sick with rabies.

Also find out when and what vaccinations were given to the animal. If there are vaccinations and they are fresh, then you will be calmer, and the owner of the dog will not be searched for by epidemiologists or veterinary services.

What can I offer

Ask the owner to check the dog for rabies with a veterinarian and observe it for 10 days. If the animal is okay, you will receive fewer vaccinations.

What to warn about

If the owner of the dog refuses to cooperate, explain to him that information from the emergency room automatically goes to the epidemiology center, veterinary service and the police.

The owner can be held liable for violating the rules of keeping pets and fined 5,000 rubles.

When to go to the emergency room

Is always. And as soon as possible. Even if you have been bitten by your pet. Even if the dog attacked you, but did not bite, but only smeared with saliva.

If you don't know where the nearest emergency room is, call an ambulance. The operator will explain everything.

In the emergency room, they are vaccinated against rabies and tetanus. These deadly diseases can be contracted through wounds, scratches and even mucous membranes if the saliva of an animal gets on them.

In addition, the dog can damage internal organs, tendons, muscles or joints. Her teeth leave lacerated wounds, which then turn into rough scars. Sutures are applied to such wounds in the first 12 hours. If the face is injured, the period is extended to 24 hours.

What will be done in the emergency room

The doctor will examine and treat wounds, examine bones and joints, and, if necessary, take x-rays and ultrasounds. And, of course, he will be engaged in the prevention of rabies and tetanus.

In other medical institutions, such a volume of assistance cannot be obtained.

When and how to get rabies vaccinations

Rabies vaccinations are given to everyone who is bitten. Is always. Just in case. A few shots are nothing compared to dying from rabies.

The first injection is given immediately. The next ones are strictly on schedule on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 30th and 90th days after the injury. The full course includes six vaccinations. But if, 10 days after the attack, the dog does not get sick, you can limit yourself to three injections.

Forget 40 stomach shots. They have not been made for 20 years.

Now they use new vaccines that have no contraindications. The vaccine is administered according to the same scheme for children, pregnant women, and other adults. For adults - in the shoulder, and for children - in the thigh.

Rabies vaccinations are free. They are made both on weekends and on holidays.

When and how to get tetanus shots

Tetanus pathogens enter the wound with dirt. 80% of cases die. Therefore, all of us are vaccinated against tetanus in childhood, and then repeated every 10 years. At least they should.

It is advisable to bring your medical documents to the emergency room or remember when and how many vaccinations you were given. The doctor's decision to vaccinate will depend on the severity of the wounds, their contamination, and the number of previous vaccinations.

What to do next

Take your medications and get vaccinated

Dog bite wounds do not heal well and require additional treatment. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics from day one to prevent infection. It is important to start taking them right away and continue, exactly following the recommendations.

Don't miss vaccinations. Otherwise they won't work.

Watch the wounds

No need to touch wounds. Just watch for signs of inflammation. In the clinic, where you still have to go, they will make a dressing and process everything correctly.

Signs of infection noticeable to the victim appear already in the first day after the treatment of wounds and suturing.

Alarming symptoms:

severe redness around the wound;
the appearance of pus;
increased body temperature;
limitation of mobility of the joint next to which the wound is located.

What to do if bitten by a dog: Infection in the wound

People with impaired immunity should be especially careful. That is, those with diabetes, liver disease, malignant neoplasms, HIV, and those taking immunosuppressive medications. With such diseases, the wounds fester very quickly.

See the surgeon

As soon as you notice the symptoms described above, go to your local health center.

Even if everything seems to be in order, be sure to see the surgeon 48-72 hours after the bite. A specialist will examine you, treat your wounds, and tell you what to do next.

Monitor your dog

After 10 days, veterinarians conclude if the dog has rabies. If everything is in order, the person who has been bitten is stopped vaccinating.

How to prevent a dog attack

Dogs of any breed and any age can attack. Domestic and stray. Most attacks can be prevented by following simple rules:

Don't tease dogs. Don't fight them.
Do not try to separate the fighters.
Do not run near or away from animals. So you can provoke a chase and attack.
Don't bother dogs that are around puppies, sleeping, or eating.
Do not try to enter the animal's territory. The dog will protect her and can attack.
Stay away from the dog if the owner is not around.
Do not chase your dog if it is trying to hide.
If the dog is about to sniff you, stand still. In most cases, the animal will make sure that you are not a danger and will move away.
If your dog growls, bares its teeth, or has hair on the back of its neck, don't scream. Don't make eye contact.

What to do if the dog does attack

What can you do

Separate yourself from the dog with a bag, jacket, or any other item.
If you fell to the ground, curl up in a ball, bend your head, cover your ears and neck with your hands.

What not to do

Don't try to break free. Dogs are adapted to pulling off pieces of meat. So you will hurt yourself more.
Don't hit the dog. It will only make her angry.

How to understand that a cat or dog urgently needs to be shown to the veterinarian

Refusal to eat, unusual behavior, stool disturbances, or skin problems may indicate that the cat or dog is sick

What to do if bitten by a dog?

Stop the bleeding, disinfect the wound and go to the emergency room as soon as possible. This question was submitted by our reader. You also ask your question to Lifehacker - if it is interesting, we will definitely answer. What to do if bitten by a dog?