Dog Bites
It has been proven that more than 4 million American are bitten by dogs each year. Seven hundred and fifty thousand of these cases are severe enough that medical attention is required. Dog bites are scary and can be very traumatic. No one wants to be bitten by a dog, but in case you or someone else is bitten by a dog, there are some precautionary steps that should be taken.
All dog bites should be taken seriously. The first thing you should do regarding dog bites is to clean the wound immediately. The wound can be cleaned out with soap and water. Cleaning it with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide is best, but if you do not have these items, soap and water will do. If the wound is bleeding, put pressure on it. The pressure being applied to the wound will help stop or slow down the bleeding. If the dog bites are on your arm, hold your arm above your heart. After your dog bites are in an elevated position, place a clean bandage over the wound. If bandages are not available at the time, clean towels will do.
Dog bites just like any other open sores can lead to an infection. Look at the wound for any signs of infection. Signs of an infection can be unusual redness and swelling, increasing sensation of warmth in the dog bites area, red streaking, and developing a fever. If you notice an infection developing, see a doctor immediately. The doctor will likely give you a tetanus shot if you have not had one within the last five years. Determine if the dog that bit you has already had the rabies vaccine shot. If it is uncertain of the status of the rabies vaccine shot, the dog should be observed for fifteen days to see if rabies develops.
All in all, dog bites are a serious matter. No matter how you feel how serious the dog bites are, it is suggested to seek medical attention. The doctors can determine how to treat the wounds. It is better to be safe than sorry.
