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You got bit by a dog. Now what?

While most dog bites usually cause only minor injuries, taking care of the wound is only the initial step in preventing infection and averting serious complications that may occur as a result of the bite.

If you or someone you are with is bit by a dog, it important to be proactive and take preventive action to ensure that the dog bite does not lead to serious (and sometimes fatal) complications. Following are important steps to follow after a dog bite to ensure the safety of the person who was bitten.

Important Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

Take Care of the Wound

To help prevent infection from a dog bite, you should wash the wound as soon as possible. Treat a minor wound by:

  • Washing it with mild soap and water, making sure you thoroughly clean the area
  • Running warm water over the wound for about 5-10 minutes to flush out bacteria
  • Pressing a dry, clean cloth firmly against the wound to stop any bleeding
  • Applying an over-the-counter antibiotic cream to the wound
  • Putting a clean bandage over it

Deeper, more serious wounds should be treated by a doctor immediately. Call 911 or get emergency help if the bleeding is uncontrollable or the person loses consciousness.

Even if the wound is not serious, you should always seek professional medical treatment after being bitten or attacked by a dog. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection and although rare, this may include rabies which can be fatal if left untreated.

Gather Information about the Dog

Just as important as caring for the wound, you should immediately identify the owner of the dog, if it is not known. Consider the following:

  • Is the dog owned by someone you know or a stray dog?
  • Obtain the name, address and phone number of the owner if you don’t know it
  • Find out if the dog’s vaccinations are up to date
  • Request proof of a rabies vaccination

It is extremely important to find out of the dig that bit you has been vaccinated for rabies.

Be Aware of the Risk of Rabies

While rabies is rarely found in the US in domesticated animals like dogs because of widespread vaccination rates, if the dog's health status is unknown and you cannot confirm that the dog has been vaccinated, you should be treated by a doctor immediately.

If you cannot obtain any information about the dog, its owners, or its vaccination status, you will need to undergo a series of rabies shots. Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that is spread to humans from a bite or scratch from an infected animal. The rabies virus attacks the brain and nervous system and if not treated, is always fatal.

The Department of Health states, “Treatment after rabies exposure consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) given as soon as possible after exposure, plus 4 shots of rabies vaccine given over two weeks.”

Treatment for Other Infections

Although you may receive confirmation that the dog has an up-to-date rabies vaccination, you should still seek medical treatment to reduce the risk of other bite-related infections and complications.

Rahul Parikh

"The main concern with a bite from a dog or another animal is infection. you should always seek medical attention immediately after you are bitten. Waiting longer raises your risk of infection."

A doctor will clean and examine the wound. Depending on the severity and the location of the bite, they may close the wound with stitches. They will usually prescribe oral antibiotics to reduce the risk of infections. 

Tetanus Risk

The bacteria causing tetanus may be in a dog’s mouth, especially if it plays in soil or dirt. It is often found in soil, dust, and contaminated surfaces. Tetanus is a serious infection that causes severe muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, and seizures. If the dog-bite victim has not had a tetanus vaccine in the last 5 years, a doctor may administer the vaccine to reduce the risk of tetanus.

Always Seek Medical Treatment for a Dog Bite

While most dog bite injuries are minor, and the wound can be conservatively treated, it is important to gather information about the dog and to immediately seek medical treatment. A health care professional can properly treat your wound and determine if you are at a high risk for infection and if you require antibiotics and vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. 

Getting rabies from a dog bite in the U.S. is extremely rare, however, the World Health Organization reports that in up to 99% of human rabies cases, dogs are responsible for virus transmission. Vaccinating dogs is the most effective strategy for preventing rabies in people because it stops the transmission at its source.

Tips for Safely Interacting with Dogs

While not all dog bites can be prevented, there are suggestions that you can follow to stay safe when you are interacting with dogs. Steps you can take to protect yourself and your family include:

  • Approach unfamiliar dogs with caution. Always ask the owner’s permission before petting an unfamiliar dog.
  • When petting a dog, be gentle and stroke them on the shoulders or back. Avoid touching their face, ears or tail.
  • Supervise children around dogs (especially young children). Never leave children alone around dogs, even if it is a dog you know or the family pet. Animal behavior can be unpredictable and bites can happen quickly.
  • Respect a dog’s space. Never disturb a dog that is in its crate or doghouse – this is considered their “safe space.” In addition, do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, caring for puppies or is injured or sick.
  • Never startle, scare, or tease a dog. Provoking a dog can lead to territorial or defensive behavior that may lead to biting.
  • Teach children not to play rough or boisterous games with dogs, pull their ears, jump on them, or try to ride on them. This can lead to bites and aggressive behavior.
  • Do not run away from a dog. This may trigger the dog’s instinct to chase you.
  • If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, stay calm, don't look it directly in the eye, and stand still or back up slowly.

If you notice any stray dogs or dogs that frequently get loose in your neighborhood, you should report them to your local Animal Control Center.

If you are a dog owner, it is extremely important to keep your dog up-to-date on all of their vaccinations. In addition, when you take your dog out in public, always keep it on a leash. These actions not only protect your pet, but the people and other animals around it. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) summarizes, “By learning about dog behavior and teaching kids how to safely interact with dogs, we can help protect both people and pets. Responsible pet ownership and respectful interactions are key to strengthening the human-animal bond and reducing the risk of injury."

Find Care at Catholic Health

Find a Catholic Health doctor near you. Or call 866-MY-LI-DOC (866-695-4362).

For convenient urgent care, visit a Catholic Health Urgent Care location.

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