5 Steps to Take If You Were Bitten by Someone's Dog
Even in the safest neighborhoods, it's possible to be bitten by someone's dog at any time. In fact, there are about 4.5 million dog bite injuries yearly in the United States alone, and 800,000 of those need medical care.
However, you can prevent this from happening by doing a few things. For instance, you can teach your pets not to bite as early as their younger years. If you can't handle the training, puppy classes can help you with disciplining strategies for your dog.
What to Do If You Are Bitten by Someone's Dog
Not all pet owners have their dogs trained against biting. As such, you need to know what to do in case you get bitten by someone else's dog. Wash the dog bite wound
A dog bite can result in a serious injury. Many infection-causing bacteria and viruses are in dogs' mouths. As such, washing the bite wound with soap and water is essential. Doing this step can help prevent infection.
Clean your hands and use them to scrub the skin around the wound gently. Soap and water can remove any dirt, germs, or other harmful substances that could get into your bloodstream if left behind.
Apply first aid
While some may think that only severe dog bites require medical attention, you must understand that any dog bite can become infected. However, with over-the-counter pain medications and antibiotics, non-serious injuries are treatable at home.
Skin punctures may require more than just washing the affected area with warm water and soap. You can wash it with hydrogen peroxide, too. For minor puncture wounds, you may want to make the wound bleed by squeezing it. This treatment can help eliminate germs that may have entered the bitten area.
However, large puncture wounds that are bleeding may require stitches or antibiotic treatments. You may also need to gently apply pressure on the wound using a clean cloth or sterilized bandage to stop the bleeding. Know the dog's vaccination history
There should be no major complications from a dog bite as long as the dog has had all its shots. However, if it has not been vaccinated against rabies or distemper, there are serious risks involved.
For example, one of the most common viral diseases you can get is rabies. This disease affects the central nervous system and can be fatal when left untreated. But, having a vaccinated dog for anti-rabies can reduce the chances of contracting this disease.
The dog's vaccination history may help determine its risk for certain diseases. But even if it has been vaccinated, it's possible that the vaccination is not current.
As such, you may need to ask about the dog's vaccination history. This information will help you determine what other steps you must take to ensure that the injury does not lead to any further complications. Seek medical attention
If the dog bite deems it necessary, get medical help immediately. You may want to cover the wound with a clean and sterilized cloth until you make it to the hospital, preventing irritants from entering the wound and causing further infection. The doctor will assess whether there's an infection or a possible case of rabies.
The medical team may also need to check for signs of tetanus. This condition is due to soil or manure bacteria that enter the body through puncture wounds or cuts. Since dogs typically play on the ground and lick their paws, they can pass the bacteria to you and cause you to contract the disease through a dog bite.
When getting medical attention, prepare everything, like your medical ID and history. You may have to recount the events of the bite incident and the steps as well as medicines you've taken. This information will give doctors a better idea of how to help you.
Get the necessary vaccinations
Again, not all owners have had their dogs vaccinated. Others may not have updated vaccines. As such, you must get vaccinated against potential diseases as soon as possible.
You can contact your doctor and tell them what happened. They may advise you to get rabies shots if there are any immediate symptoms of rabies or infection, such as headaches, fevers, swelling, and the like. But, rabies symptoms may not appear immediately, so it's best to complete the rabies shots to be sure.
However, these steps may require you to shell out money. In that case, you can ask for the owner's participation using their homeowner's dog bite insurance to help reduce your expenses.
Protect Yourself Against Dog Bites
How you handle a dog bite and how soon you seek medical attention can make all the difference. Knowing what to do and following the proper measures can help you avoid falling ill. The goal is to reduce the chances of complications, including rabies and tetanus. Indeed, it's better to be safe than sorry about dog bites.
Sources: https://www.makatimed.net.ph/blogs/the-truth-about-rabies-11-facts-you-need-to-know/ https://www.rmdlaw.com/personal-injury-blog/insurance-and-dog-bites-will-the-coverage-include-animal-related-injuries/