Being bitten by a dog is always an unexpected situation. Whether it is an unknown animal or your own pet, an attack can be very dangerous. Through the bite, the dog can transmit many diseases to humans, whether milder infections or serious diseases such as rabies. Since we cannot predict that a dog will attack us, it is important to always be prepared. The Paws of the House explains everything you need to know to deal with a dog bite: what to do immediately after the bite, how to make the dog stop biting and what measures to take in case of an unvaccinated dog bite. Check it out!

Dog bite can cause different types of infections

In the dog's mouth, there are different types of bacteria. With the bite, the dog can end up taking these bacteria to the attacked person, causing infections. In addition, a deep dog bite can cause internal injuries, generating complications such as bone and tendon infections and, in some cases, fracture. Another risk of dog bite is canine rabies. Today, the disease is notso common thanks to vaccination campaigns, but there is still the risk of getting a bite from an unvaccinated dog that transmits this serious disease.

Mild dog bite, puncture or crushing: know the types of bite

Before knowing what to do when you get a dog bite, it is important to identify its type. It can be a light dog bite or a deeper bite. Depending on the type, the risk of infection and serious consequences is higher. There are three types of dog bite:

• Minor injury: is the mild dog bite, which causes a small injury with no or little bleeding, ceasing quickly.

• Drilling: is a type of dog bite that requires more attention. It can be more superficial or deeper. It causes bleeding and has a higher risk of infection.

• Laceration or crushing: The risk of infection is very high and can lead to damage to internal organs such as bones and tendons, and even fractures.

Dog bite: what to do immediately after an attack?

It is very important to know what to do when you get bitten by a dog. After all, you never know when an attack might occur. The first thing to do is to wash the area very well with soap and water or saline solution. Ideally, you should wash it for at least five minutes. The next step of what to do when you get bitten by a dog is to stop the blood, in case bleeding occurs. You can do this by using anWith the wound protected, seek medical attention immediately, especially if the bleeding does not stop or there is a lot of pain. If you notice that the dog bite, even a mild one, is getting worse over time, do not hesitate to go to the hospital quickly, as it is probably getting infected. The clearest signs of infection are pain at the site, fever and swelling.

At the hospital, the doctor will do a more thorough cleaning of the dog bite and further assess the severity of the injury. Antibiotics are usually prescribed as a way to fight infection. In some cases, stitches may be needed, but infected wounds need to be left open so that they heal on their own.

How to make the dog stop biting: know how to react during an attack

Knowing how to get your dog to stop biting is the best way to prepare for a dog attack. First, it is important to note that when you notice an aggressive animal, you should never make sudden movements or stare at it. The instinct may be to run or scream, but this only makes the situation worse. In case of an attack, protect your body well. If the animal knocks you down, do not hold it and try to sit down.on the floor hugging your knees, as this will protect your belly and head. The best way to get the dog to stop biting is not to attack back. Eventually the dog will get tired and stop attacking and if you have no one to help, this may be the only way to protect yourself. When the attack is over, follow the tips on what to do when bitten by dog immediately.

Unsupervised children are often the main victims of dog bites

Most cases of dog bites come from dogs that are already known to bite. Dogs bite when they feel threatened in some way, and it is a natural instinct. The reason may simply be an unintentional step on the tail or any other situation that has stressed them out. If there is no apparent reason for the bite, the dog should be taken to the vet, as it may be a sign of a problemChildren are usually the main victims of dog bites, as they have no idea when the animal is stressed and may insist on playing games that irritate the animal, leading the dog to bite. Dogs and children should never be left together unsupervised to avoid this type of problem.

Unvaccinated dog bite requires rabies vaccination protocol

When the dog bite comes from an animal you don't know, you need to be much more alert. This is because it is very likely to be a bite from an unvaccinated dog. What to do when attacked by a street or unknown dog? The ideal is to try to capture the animal so that it can be evaluated and observed for 10 days (this is the period when rabies symptoms usually appear in a dog).If this is not possible, it becomes more difficult to identify whether the case is a bite from an unvaccinated dog that has rabies. In this case, seek a SUS health post immediately to start the rabies vaccination protocol. The number of doses depends on the type of bite, but all teams are ready to deal with the situation.