4 Steps To Take If Your Dog Has Been Bitten

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4 Steps To Take If Your Dog Has Been Bitten

28 October 2015
 Categories: , Blog


Dog fights can cause serious injuries. Even if you keep your dogs in the yard or only take them to dog parks where you can monitor their interactions with other dogs, there is still a chance that your dog will be bitten by another dog at some point in its life. If your dog has been bitten, you'll need to act quickly to treat the wound.  Here are four steps you should take if your dog has been bitten by another dog.  

Monitor for Signs of Shock

If your dog has a serious injury due to a dog bite, it may go into shock, especially if there is a significant amount of blood loss. While you're tending to your dog's injuries, be sure to monitor it for signs of shock. Signs of shock include loss of consciousness, pale gums or uncontrollable shaking.

If your dog exhibits any of those signs, wrap it in a blanket, carefully move it to your vehicle and get it to a vet as soon as possible. If your dog is not showing signs of shock, you can continue with the treatment provided below.

Clean the Wounds

Dog bites can become infected quickly. You'll need to clean the wound as quickly as possible. Place 1 cup of water in a bowl and add ¼ cup of peroxide. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and use it to wipe the wounds. Be sure to wipe gently to avoid causing your dog additional pain. 

Control the Bleeding

If the bite is bleeding a lot, you'll need to apply pressure to the wound. Place a clean cloth directly over the wound and apply pressure. If the bleeding doesn't stop within a few minutes, or the blood soaks through the material, apply another cloth and continue applying pressure. It's important to note that you shouldn't remove the first layer of cloth or the clot could break loose and cause additional bleeding.

If there are multiple wounds that are bleeding, you may not be able to apply pressure to each one. If that's the case, place a clean cloth on each wound and wrap a piece of ace bandage around the wound the secure the bandage. If you don't have an ace bandage, you can wrap a large sock or a piece of material around the wound to apply pressure.

Seek Medical Help

As soon as you've cleaned the wounds and controlled the bleeding, you should transport your dog to the vet. You should call ahead so that the veterinarian and staff are prepared when you arrive. If there is still a significant amount of bleeding, place several layers of plastic wrap around the pressure bandages, to control the bleeding while you're transporting your pet.

If your dog has been bitten by another dog, you should seek medical care at a local vet hospital as soon as possible. The steps provided above will help you stabilize the wound for transport.