What to do if a strange dog bites your pet? So see a doctor as soon as possible!
2023. September 30 - Photos: Getty Images Hungary
2023. September 30 - Photos: Getty Images Hungary
It can happen that your pet gets into a conflict with a strange dog and suffers bite injuries. It's not enough to stay calm and collected, it's essential to get information about whether or not the attacking dog has been vaccinated and what its current state of health is.
Certified professional dog trainer Molly Sumridge suggests that it is essential to be prepared for such a situation. The key is to assess the situation properly. And if a dog bites him get your pet care as soon as possible.
Your first task is to get your dog out of the situation. Assess his injuries, call your vet. But while you’re there, you should find out as much information as possible about the other dog, and perhaps take some photographs. If the owner is present, ask about the dog’s condition and ask for a vaccination certificate. The most important thing is to find out if the other animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
Anything from a small cut to a series of serious wounds can happen. So experts, including Dr Stacey Rebello, a traumatologist at the Robbinsville Veterinary Emergency Center, recommend that you seek medical attention immediately for even the smallest injuries. Even tiny puncture wounds can carry a high risk of infection. You may also develop bleeding or nerve damage under the skin, which can easily lead to an abscess. It is important to know that certain areas of the dog’s body are more prone to complications than others, and that the location of the bite may affect whether or not medical treatment is needed. For example, the mouth and nose heal very quickly. On the other hand, if the injury is to the animal’s legs, trunk or neck, or possibly its joints, a longer recovery time should be expected.
For minor bites that do not require surgical intervention, a thorough wound assessment is usually carried out. The surrounding hairs are clipped and the area disinfected with an antibacterial solution. After that the wound is then rinsed with physiological saline and antibiotics are given. Vet will then assess the situation to see if the dog needs further pain relief. In more severe cases, anaesthesia may be necessary. In this case, the damaged tissue is removed and a catheter is inserted into the animal’s body. This is usually removed within three to five days. The remaining stitches are removed 10-14 days later. If there is any suspicion of broken bones or serious bruising, an X-ray or ultrasound scan is always recommended. Veterinarians can also use these tools to determine whether the bite has perforated the thoracic cavity or abdominal cavity, which is a much more serious case than a superficial wound. If a rabid dog has bitten the animal, a 10-day quarantine is also required for the dog after the vaccine has been administered.
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, it is almost certain that a rabid dog has bitten your food. Your pet needs to be monitored constantly as symptoms can appear up to 7-14 days after the accident. Let’s look at the signs of rabies:
It’s also important to seek medical attention immediately after a bite, as possible rabies should be treated during the incubation period. Getting a rabies vaccine every year will protect your dog from catching the disease and also from spreading it, but nothing is 100% guaranteed. In addition, although the law requires owners to vaccinate their dogs and there are fines for not doing so, it is still possible that an offending dog may not have received the vaccine. This is why it is important to ask the owner for the animal’s vaccination record straight away.
Prevention of infection after a dog bite is key. Give the prescribed antibiotics to the animal immediately. Never allow him to lick or scratch the wound, always dress it thoroughly to prevent access. This may be best done with a collar or cloth specifically designed for such situations.
After a dog attack, and when a dog bites your pet, it can take some time for him to recover, both physically and mentally. Often they may become anxious around other dogs and less able to socialise than before the accident. It is very important to monitor your dog’s metacommunication, if you find that he is fidgeting and uncomfortable in the dog run or around other dogs, then it is better to walk him in an area where he does not need to interact with others at first. It is possible that because he has had a very negative experience with one, he may act out of fear, even aggressively towards other dogs. If you experience this, then by all means don’t force the interaction or socialisation as this will only exacerbate the problem, instead seek professional help.
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