Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFirst AidMedical AttentionDiagnosisTreatmentInfectionPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
First Aid
Medical Attention
Diagnosis
Treatment
Infection
Prevention
Dog bite treatment starts with basic first aid: stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and cover it with a clean bandage. Bites that are deep, bleeding heavily, or are on the face or hands require immediate medical care.
More than 4.5 million dog bites are reported annually in the United States. Children are bitten more often than adults and are more likely to have serious injuries. Most dog bites occur on the hands, face, neck, and head while interacting with familiar dogs.
This article discusses dog bite treatment. It outlines basic first aid for bite wounds and explains when to seek emergency medical treatment.
Gwendolyn Plath / Getty Images
How to Treat a Dog Bite
Treating a dogbiteshouldalwaysstart with the safety of all involved: the victim, the rescuer, and, if possible, the dog. Secure the dog away from the person who has been bitten. If you cannot contain the dog and it continues to be a threat, contact animal control or the police.
Ask the Dog’s Owner
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If the dog has broken the skin, see your healthcare provider within 24 hours for evaluation and treatment.
Seek immediate medical care for a dog bite for the following:
Wounds on the face or hands should be checked as soon as possible due to the likelihood of scarring or loss of function.
Risk of Rabies
Rabiesis an extremely rare andtypically fatalillness that can be transmitted through animal bites.All dogs should be vaccinated for rabies.
Rabies shots last three years, though some states require dogs to receive annual rabies boosters.
While the risk of contracting rabies is minimal, it is more likely if the dog:
Bites from dogs without proof of a recent rabies shot require prompt medical attention. You may need to be treated with a post-exposure prophylaxis rabies vaccine.
If the dog is up-to-date with its shots, you should still see your healthcare provider in the next 24 hours for any dog bites that break the skin.
Dog Bite Diagnosis
A healthcare provider should evaluate any dog bites that break the skin. If the bite doesn’t seem serious, you can usually wait a day to be examined.
When seeking dog bite treatment, your healthcare provider will want to know the following:
Dog bite treatment is usually determined based on visual examination. A severe dog bite can cause damage to muscles, nerves, tendons, or even bone. X-rays or other imaging studies may be used to evaluate the injury further.
Dog Bite Treatment
The treatment for a dog bite will depend on the size of the bite and where it’s located on your body. Dog bite treatment may include:
Keep the area clean and dry and change the bandage once per day. You may need to change it more often if it gets soiled. If prescribed antibiotics, finish them.
Filing a Police ReportRegulations in some areas may require you to report a dog bite to local police or authorities so the dog can be monitored. In these cases, the doctor may file a report about the injury.
Filing a Police Report
Regulations in some areas may require you to report a dog bite to local police or authorities so the dog can be monitored. In these cases, the doctor may file a report about the injury.
When Does a Dog Bite Become an Infection?
As the dog bite begins to heal, you should experience slight swelling, tenderness, pink skin, and clear fluid oozing from the wound. These symptoms last two to five days.
It is essential to monitor the wound for signs of infection. A dog’s mouth contains bacteria likeStaphylococcus,Streptococcus,Pasteurella,andCapnocytophaga, which makes dog bites a high risk for infection.
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs ofinfection:
What Is Capnocytophaga?
Capnocytophagais a bacteria that lives in the mouths of dogs and cats but does not make them sick. It can, however, make humans very ill, particularly if you have a weakened immune system.
Capnocytophagacan cause a life-threatening infection that can lead to endocarditis, gangrene, kidney failure, and sepsis. Septic shock can cause cardiopulmonary collapse.
Symptoms ofCapnocytophagainfection typically arise five to 6 days after the bite, but can take up to 30 days to appear. Some signs are evident within hours, though most occur between three to five days later and include:
Can You Get MRSA From a Dog Bite?Yes, pets can carry and transmit methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA). However, the risk is minimal for people with a fully developed, healthy immune system. MRSA does pose a threat to children, elderly individuals, people with autoimmune disorders, and those taking medications that suppress the immune system.
Can You Get MRSA From a Dog Bite?
Yes, pets can carry and transmit methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA). However, the risk is minimal for people with a fully developed, healthy immune system. MRSA does pose a threat to children, elderly individuals, people with autoimmune disorders, and those taking medications that suppress the immune system.
Dog Bite Prevention
Dog bites can often be prevented. If you are a rescuer, practiceuniversal precautionsand wearpersonal protective equipmentif available.
Teach children dog safety and supervise children under 5 when interacting with dogs. Make sure kids understand the following:
Summary
Treating a dog bite involves administering basic first aid. Apply pressure to stop bleeding, wash the wound with soap and water, and cover it with a clean bandage. If the bite is deep, on your hand or face, or you cannot control the bleeding, seek immediate medical care.
You should see a doctor within 24 hours if the skin is broken. Additional treatments may include antibiotics, stitches, or even surgery. Your doctor may also recommend a tetanus booster shot or, in rare instances, a rabies shot.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Veterinary Medical Association.Dog bite prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dogs.U.S. National library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Bleeding.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Animal bites — self-care.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Animal bites - self-care.O’Brien DC, Andre TB, Robinson AD, Squires LD, Tollefson TT.Dog bites of the head and neck: An evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment.Am J Otolaryngol. 2015 Jan-Feb;36(1):32-8. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2014.09.001U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rabies.American Animal Hospital Association.Key vaccination: rabies.Tabaka ME, Quinn JV, Kohn MA, Polevoi SK.Predictors of infection from dog bite wounds: which patients may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics?Emerg Med J. 2015;32(11):860–3. doi:10.1136/emermed-2014-204378Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.How wounds heal.Ruparell A, Inui T, Staunton R, Wallis C, Deusch O, Holcombe LJ.The canine oral microbiome: variation in bacterial populations across different niches.BMC Microbiol. 2020;20(1):42. doi:10.1186/s12866-020-1704-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Capnocytophaga.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms ofcapnocytophaga.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Can I get a MRSA infection from my pet?Additional ReadingGolinko MS, Arslanian B, Williams JK.Characteristics of 1616 consecutive dog bite injuries at a single institution.Clin Pediatr(Phila). 2017;56(4):316-325. doi:10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000848
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Veterinary Medical Association.Dog bite prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dogs.U.S. National library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Bleeding.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Animal bites — self-care.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Animal bites - self-care.O’Brien DC, Andre TB, Robinson AD, Squires LD, Tollefson TT.Dog bites of the head and neck: An evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment.Am J Otolaryngol. 2015 Jan-Feb;36(1):32-8. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2014.09.001U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rabies.American Animal Hospital Association.Key vaccination: rabies.Tabaka ME, Quinn JV, Kohn MA, Polevoi SK.Predictors of infection from dog bite wounds: which patients may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics?Emerg Med J. 2015;32(11):860–3. doi:10.1136/emermed-2014-204378Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.How wounds heal.Ruparell A, Inui T, Staunton R, Wallis C, Deusch O, Holcombe LJ.The canine oral microbiome: variation in bacterial populations across different niches.BMC Microbiol. 2020;20(1):42. doi:10.1186/s12866-020-1704-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Capnocytophaga.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms ofcapnocytophaga.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Can I get a MRSA infection from my pet?Additional ReadingGolinko MS, Arslanian B, Williams JK.Characteristics of 1616 consecutive dog bite injuries at a single institution.Clin Pediatr(Phila). 2017;56(4):316-325. doi:10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000848
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Veterinary Medical Association.Dog bite prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dogs.U.S. National library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Bleeding.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Animal bites — self-care.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Animal bites - self-care.O’Brien DC, Andre TB, Robinson AD, Squires LD, Tollefson TT.Dog bites of the head and neck: An evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment.Am J Otolaryngol. 2015 Jan-Feb;36(1):32-8. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2014.09.001U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rabies.American Animal Hospital Association.Key vaccination: rabies.Tabaka ME, Quinn JV, Kohn MA, Polevoi SK.Predictors of infection from dog bite wounds: which patients may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics?Emerg Med J. 2015;32(11):860–3. doi:10.1136/emermed-2014-204378Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.How wounds heal.Ruparell A, Inui T, Staunton R, Wallis C, Deusch O, Holcombe LJ.The canine oral microbiome: variation in bacterial populations across different niches.BMC Microbiol. 2020;20(1):42. doi:10.1186/s12866-020-1704-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Capnocytophaga.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms ofcapnocytophaga.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Can I get a MRSA infection from my pet?
American Veterinary Medical Association.Dog bite prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dogs.
U.S. National library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Bleeding.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Animal bites — self-care.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Animal bites - self-care.
O’Brien DC, Andre TB, Robinson AD, Squires LD, Tollefson TT.Dog bites of the head and neck: An evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment.Am J Otolaryngol. 2015 Jan-Feb;36(1):32-8. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2014.09.001
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Rabies.
American Animal Hospital Association.Key vaccination: rabies.
Tabaka ME, Quinn JV, Kohn MA, Polevoi SK.Predictors of infection from dog bite wounds: which patients may benefit from prophylactic antibiotics?Emerg Med J. 2015;32(11):860–3. doi:10.1136/emermed-2014-204378
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.How wounds heal.
Ruparell A, Inui T, Staunton R, Wallis C, Deusch O, Holcombe LJ.The canine oral microbiome: variation in bacterial populations across different niches.BMC Microbiol. 2020;20(1):42. doi:10.1186/s12866-020-1704-3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Capnocytophaga.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms ofcapnocytophaga.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Can I get a MRSA infection from my pet?
Golinko MS, Arslanian B, Williams JK.Characteristics of 1616 consecutive dog bite injuries at a single institution.Clin Pediatr(Phila). 2017;56(4):316-325. doi:10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000848
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