If your dog has just been bitten by another dog or another animal, it is important that you respond and act right away. Here is a quick guide to what you need to do for your dog immediately after they have been bitten:
Calm Your Dog Down
Your dog may be in pain and in distress after they get bitten. You need to do your best to calm your dog down. Pet them and hold them if they will let you. Let them know that you are there for them. Treating the wound can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog, so try to do what you can to make your dog feel more comfortable.
Clean The Wound Out
Once you have calmed down your dog, you need to clean out the wound as quickly as possible. Dog's saliva can contain a lot of different bacteria and can easily lead to an infection if your dog's wound is not cleaned right away.
The first thing you need to do is wash your dog's bit out by running cold water over it for at least a minute. This will help wash away the saliva from the other dog or animal. Once you have run water over it for at least a minute, pour some hydrogen peroxide over it. Just like when hydrogen peroxide is poured on your wounds, this can sting, so be sure to hold your dog and do your best to keep them calm.
After applying the hydrogen peroxide, use a towel to dry off the affected area.
Apply Antibiotics
Once the bite area has been cleaned, it is time to apply some antibiotics to the area. You can use the same kind of antibiotic ointment creams you would use on yourself on your dog. You'll want to apply them right away, and reapply them throughout the day as your dog may lick them away.
If the bite is deep, you may need to get an oral antibiotic for your dog in order to make sure that no infections develop.
Get A Rabies Shot
If you don't know the health history of the dog or animal that bit your dog, you are going to want to get an anti-rabies shot for your dog. This will help them fight off rabies if they were infected.
If your dog was just bitten by another dog or animal, try your best to keep your dog calm as you wash their wound and apply antibiotics. If the wound does not start healing on its own, take your dog to a local veterinarian, such as one from Abri Animal Hospital, for further treatment.
