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Know how to treat a dog bite at home and when you should do it. Animal bites are highly susceptible to infection, however a proper first aid intervention can help you a lot in reducing the chances of having an infection. But, it is also essential that you are aware of the dog’s vaccine history in order to take the appropriate measures.

There are two kinds of dog bite: Lacerated or punctured. Puncture wounds are when his teeth would penetrate your skin. There kind are very prone to infection since his teeth itself would inject bacteria unto your skin. The lacerated wound occurs when your dog would tear away a part of your skin. This is the kind which requires stiches and you would definitely have a scar after this one.

So, when can you treat a dog bite at home? If the dog who bit you is your familiar and you know that he had an anti-rabies shot and that you have had your tetanus shots for the last 10 years. Otherwise, call the doctor immediately and go submit yourself for proper treatment.

How to Treat a Dog Bite

To care for a dog bite injury at home: Place a clean towel over the injury to stop any bleeding.

Try to keep the injured area elevated.

Wash the bite carefully with soap and water.

Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.

Apply antibiotic ointment to the injury every day to prevent infection. Source: Web MD, http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-bites

Treating a Dog Bite

Clean the wound instantly using water, soap, hydrogen peroxide, betadine and alcohol.

If wound is bleeding, apply pressure.

If the bite is located in your hand or arm, hold it above your heart.

Put a clean/sterile bandage on your wound.

Check signs of infection like swelling, redness or discharges. If so, go see a doctor.

If you haven’t had your tetanus shot for the last 10 years, then submit yourself for shots.

Know the rabies vaccine status of the dog that bit you. If it is unsure, then observe the dog for the next 15 days to see if he would develop signs of rabies.

Learning how treat a dog bite at home is a basic for every owner. Know that rabies can be very fatal if you don’t get vaccine in time. And if the wound is gaping, seek medical help for stitches. True, dogs may be our best friends but they are still animals and they can bite when provoked especially if it is towards strangers. Thus, it is essential as an owner to completely immunize your dog so that you won’t worry that much about rabies.

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