Dog bite: first aid, diseases, vaccination

infectious disease doctor at Lahta Clinic

“Dog bites are often accompanied by complications due to pathogenic bacteria entering the wound. As a result, purulent inflammatory processes develop. In severe cases, blood poisoning is also possible. Therefore, it is important to immediately and correctly provide first aid to a person, especially if the victim is a child.

First aid

Always start by examining the wound. The bite can be superficial and deep. In the first case, it is necessary to abundantly wash the bite site under running water and treat with antiseptic, which is at hand. WHO recommends spending at least 15 minutes to wash off the dirt and saliva of the animal, which has a lot of bacteria.

In the second, if there are torn edges, bleeding heavily, the bite site is located in the face or neck area, you should call an ambulance. Be prepared for the need for stitches and rabies vaccinations. Vaccinations after a dog bite are the only sure way to avoid serious illness.

While the doctor is on his way, heavy bleeding should be stopped as soon as possible. To do this, try a few things:

Hold the bleeding vessel with your finger and hold it in place until medical personnel are nearby;
bend the limb at the joint as much as possible if the dog has bitten your arm or leg;
position the bitten area so that it is above the body;
apply a pressure dressing;
use a tourniquet or a hemostatic sponge, a dry, porous plate that quickly absorbs blood and helps activate the clotting process.

These methods of stopping bleeding are temporary. Their use does not cancel the need to see a doctor, and in some cases – and in hospital.

Regardless of the localization of the bite and its severity, it is absolutely necessary to take the person to the doctor. Only a specialist will be able to assess the amount of damage and correctly provide assistance. It is necessary to go to the nearest trauma center – come by yourself or together with an ambulance.

What is the danger of a bite?

In the mouth of a dog, even one that lives at home, a huge number of microbes. When biting, they get into the open wound together with saliva, so the probability of infection is very high. There’s a risk of contracting

Pasteurellosis – a bacterial disease that causes purulent inflammation of the soft tissues in the area of the bite;
Capnocytophaga bacteria, a dangerous pathogen that lives in the dog’s saliva and can cause meningitis, sepsis and gangrene;
tetanus, a serious, often fatal disease that affects the nervous system.

But the greatest danger is rabies. It is an incurable infection that causes irreversible fatal changes in the body.

Is vaccination necessary?

The first and most necessary measure is to vaccinate against rabies, and this should be done as soon as possible. In some cases, such as severe multiple bites, doctors additionally administer a preparation containing specific antibodies that strengthen the defense against the spread of the virus.

Rabies is a rare and dangerous infection. Unfortunately, it is one of the few diseases with a mortality rate of up to 100%. It kills 60,000 people in the world every year.

There are still no effective therapy schemes, so the only thing that can be done is to get medical help in time. It includes wound treatment, a course of vaccination and the introduction of immunoglobulin as indicated.

Vaccination against rabies can be scheduled and emergency, which is used after the animal has bitten a person. Scheduled immunization is carried out by a course of three vaccinations according to the scheme 0-7-30, that is, at intervals of seven and 30 days. Then after a year it is necessary to make revaccination and pass it every three years.

Emergency vaccination is 3-6 vaccinations according to the scheme 0-3-7-14-30-90. The first dose is administered as soon as possible, no later than 14 days after the bite. Whenever possible, it is necessary to observe the dog for 10 days. If the animal is still alive and healthy at the end of this period and rabies has been ruled out in the laboratory, doctors may allow the vaccination to be discontinued.

Unfortunately, not all owners are conscientious about their animals and do not always give the necessary vaccines to their pets. Therefore, vaccination is still necessary to reduce the risks. The condition of a pet dog is easy to control. In the case when the animal ran away and it is not known what happened to it, the course of vaccination should be carried out to the end.

At the same time, it is necessary to strictly follow the timing of the introduction of each dose – the appointed day can not be postponed. The doctor can decide that there is no danger when the dog is vaccinated according to all the rules, the vaccination is not expired and there is an official document confirming this.

The sooner the person is helped, the higher the chance of avoiding a fatal disease. Doing tests will only steal time. The results will still have no effect on the fact that the bite has already occurred and further tactics.

Regardless of the administration of vaccine or immunoglobulin, it is necessary to monitor your health. If the condition worsens, consult a doctor.

How to care for the wound?

Wound care is standard and depends on the depth of the injury. Usually doctors tell you in detail what you need to do until complete healing.

Our body is capable of self-repairing tissues after they have been damaged. Depending on the severity, depth of the bites and the number of bites, the need for wound closure or stitches, different options may be considered. This should be discussed with your physician on a case-by-case basis.

Any suspicious changes to the wound are a reason to see a surgeon or trauma surgeon. The specialist will perform an examination and decide if antibiotics need to be connected.

Be sure to consult a doctor after a dog bite, and don’t refuse to get vaccinated – it could save your life and the lives of you and your loved ones. Remember that there is no cure for rabies, and if you have symptoms of the disease, you will not be able to save a person. However, you should not be afraid of dogs, the main thing is vaccination.