First Aid For Dog Bites

Any bite from a dog can prove extremely painful and in some cases they can even prove deadly. As always it is essential to first control any major blood loss, which requires some basic first aid knowledge. Serious infection can also occur, which could require the assistance of professional treatment. The statistics show that nearly half of all children will be bitten by a dog at some point within their childhood.

The first port of call when treating a bite is always to clean any saliva away from the wound. A dog's mouth contains millions of bacteria, which are transmitted through their saliva, and housed in their teeth. Removing the saliva from in and around the wound can help reduce the spread of infection; however it is important to protect yourself and the casualty by wearing gloves. The removal of saliva can be assisted by washing the wound with a mixture of anti-bacterial soap and water. This is recommended for all cases where major blood loss is not an immediate priority.

In some cases large quantities of blood may pour out of the wound. There is a danger that it could disrupt the casualty's circulatory system, which in extreme cases can prove fatal if left untreated. The first port of call when coming across a serious wound is to fetch a variety of sterile bandages. Use the appropriate size for the part of the body that is affected, and wrap the bandage tightly around the wound. It's better that it is tight as opposed to loose, but it should not cut the circulation off below the wound.

Casualty's will be transferred to hospital when a serious dog bite has occurred, but in other cases the bandaged wound will be left, and then observed over a 24 / 48 hour period. It's critical at this stage to check for any signs of infection on the wound itself and its surrounding area. In the early stages there may be a sense of warmth around the wound, which can be accompanied by swelling. Persistent pain could also be an indicator that something more sinister lurks within the wound. In other cases it may be possible to see a pus discharge or redness around the site of the bite. It is essential to seek professional medical attention if any of the above symptoms arise.

There is a risk of rabies in a bite from an unknown dog, or in a region that is known to carry the virus. Rabies is usually always fatal in humans when left untreated, and there can sometimes be very few initial symptoms. It is essential that urgent medical treatment is sought, even when there is only the slightest suspicion that a dog may have the virus. This is usually done at central hospitals, which house the lifesaving anti-viral medication that is required to treat the condition.

Overall the vast majority of bites are easily treatable, and there is very little risk of a first aider causing any harm. It is for this reason that no one should ever be alarmed about applying emergency treatment in the event of a bite.