Hat to do if your dog is bitten
Biting is often part of aggressive play in puppies, but in adult dogs, biting can have multiple underlying causes. Aggressive behaviors such as growling and biting are used as a means of communication and to resolve competitive issues or deal with perceived threats. There may be competition over food, territory, attention of an owner or position in a group. Biting may reflect fear or a protective reaction toward another dog.
Dog bites can cause significant injury to the skin and soft tissues. A dog’s teeth and jaws are powerful and cause punctures, and in some cases cause a shearing effect when the victim is shaken. Think of a bite wound as an iceberg where most of the damage may be under the surface. Depending on the location of the wounds, tissues can be torn or crushed. The most concerning wounds are ones that penetrate the chest and the abdomen, as they can cause internal and potentially life-threatening damage. Even a bite that does not break the skin can cause crushing or bruising injuries to the underlying soft tissues.
Wounds on the head can injure the eyes, ears and facial nerves. Wounds on the neck can potentially damage major blood vessels or the trachea. Bite wounds on the legs can pierce joints.
If a dog has been in a fight, it’s recommended that he see a veterinarian as soon as possible, particularly within six hours after the incident, as the chance of infection is known to lessen when wounds are immediately treated. Owners sometimes don’t realize the number or extent of wounds, as they can be hidden by fur. A simple clue: bite wounds usually come in pairs. Always look for a second or multiple wounds.
Wounds that appear to be minor on the surface can be deceptive and could be life-threatening. Punctures to the chest or abdomen can be fatal.
A dog’s mouth is full of bacteria, so any bite that punctures the skin will introduce bacteria or other infectious organisms below the skin surface. This can cause bacteria to multiply and spread throughout the underlying tissues. Therefore, all bite wounds are considered contaminated or infected. Left untreated, skin may heal rather quickly, but the bacteria will remain inside the healed skin, and an infected bite wound will cause an abscess (a closed pocket of bacteria and pus) or a more generalized cellulitis. In some cases, the infection can get into the bloodstream, causing life threatening sepsis.
Your veterinarian will determine what sort of treatment is necessary based on the extent of the injuries, your dog’s general health and the location of the wounds. The goal is to reduce the severity of any infection. This will be often accomplished by clipping the affected area to better see the wounds and thoroughly cleaning the wounds. The veterinarian may also remove any dead or severely damaged tissue.
Small puncture wounds will usually not be sutured closed so that any infection can drain out. Some lacerations may be sutured up and temporary drains may be placed if the damage is extensive, or if there is an underlying pocket of space where fluid will build up.
Wounds that penetrate the chest or abdomen will need more extensive care. Radiographs and surgical exploration of a penetrated abdomen may be needed to inspect vital organs.
Antibiotics are usually prescribed for wounds that have penetrated the skin. Pain medication will also often be prescribed, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Your veterinarian will give you instructions on the use of medications. The veterinarian may want to recheck your dog in several days to be certain things are going well. To prevent your dog from excessively licking wounds, a protective collar will often be used. You should leave the collar on until your veterinarian instructs you to remove it.