Bite Emergency: Essential Steps For Immediate Care And Recovery in Pets

In training your pets to be prim and proper, you cannot guarantee other pet owners are doing the same. Attacks from pets are a growing concern in our society, often catching even the most responsible pet owners off guard. Whether you're at the park, on a walk, or in your backyard, the risk of a sudden dog altercation is always present. But what do you do when your furry friend becomes the victim of another dog’s aggression? 

Read 5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE IN A PROTEST

Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can make all the difference in your dog’s physical and emotional recovery. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to take immediately after a dog bite incident, from first aid to long-term healing and prevention strategies. Being prepared isn’t just about keeping your pet safe—it’s about ensuring they bounce back stronger than ever.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Your first priority is to separate yourself and your pet from the attacking dog or cat to minimise damage to you and your pet. I have seen many pet owners sustain wounds from arms to abdomen and legs because they rushed into a dog fight situation without first considering their wellbeing. Rushing into a dog fight can result in injuries to yourself and your pet, so it's crucial to stay calm and assess the situation. Once you’ve gauged the scenario, choose the safest method to break up the fight.

STOPPING A DOG FIGHT.

Dog fights can occur in a variety of situations—between dogs living in the same home (intrahousehold aggression), unfamiliar dogs at parks, in dog daycares, shelters, or even between off-leash and leashed dogs. The reasons behind these altercations vary, but they often stem from competition over resources like food, treats, toys, or even human attention. Addressing resource guarding in dogs early on is crucial to preventing conflicts. Sometimes, fights also break out when a dog fails to recognize or respect another dog’s signals to back off, a common issue in dogs that haven't had proper early socialization. The type of dog fight will determine how you can stop it as quickly and safely as possible.

• LOUD WITH MINIMAL CONTACT: bites resulting from these types of fights are usually quick and rarely result in severe injury. These types of fights can be stopped by simply separating the animals or removing the bone of contention.

• QUICK BITE FIGHTS: these fights can be stopped by raising an alarm to prevent further biting, or using physical items to create a barricade between yourself, your pet and the attacker. 

• LOCKED-JAW FIGHTS: These are the most severe of dog fights, where the dog(s) are biting and holding onto the other dog. They may bite and hold or shake the other dog. While there may be growling, these fights tend to be quieter than the other two types, since the dogs' mouths are busy. Stopping these fights usually requires physically separating the dogs by:

• Using sticks to forcefully yank them apart.

• Dumping water on them

• Two people pulling on their leashes to separate them

• Throwing a blanket over the attacker so they can be carried away

NEXT UP, EVALUATE

Now that you have separated your pet from the attacker, evaluating your pet for injuries is the next step. Usually, your pet might be in shock, shaky and terrified. It is therefore important you speak calmly to them, pat their head, and rub their belly while you search for injuries. If your pet is very hairy, it is important to pay close attention to the joints, neck and other places where the haircoat can hide the injury. Puncture Wounds may not bleed much but can be deep and prone to infection. Lacerations look like tears in the skin that might require stitching while swelling or bruising indicate underlying tissue damage.

If injuries were inflicted by a strange dog, asking the owner for their pet’s vaccination history is essential in ruling out diseases such as rabies. Also collecting information about the owner and details of the incident might be necessary in case you need to file legal actions or split medical bills.

IMMEDIATE CARE…

Also known as First Aid is a quick fix given to pets in the event of an emergency or even a minor illness to keep them safe and stable until they can receive professional medical help. Some bite wounds are minor and might not require professional help to manage the wound. However, if left unattended minor wounds can become infected resulting in complications. 

First aid for minor injuries include: 

• First, wash the site of injury with clean water or a diluted antiseptic flush like Chlorhexidine 2% and povidone-iodine 

• Make sure there is no debris in the injury.

• Apply pressure to stop the bleeding, if the bleeding is not stopping after a few minutes. Immediately contact your emergency veterinarian

• If bleeding stops and home care is appropriate for the size and severity of the injury. Clean the injury with sterile gauze and apply a bandaid from your first aid kit 

TO THE VET OR NOT?

Even if the injuries seem minor, it’s essential to have a vet examine your dog. Dog bites can lead to infections due to bacteria in the other dog’s mouth. Your vet may recommend: antibiotics, pain relief, tetanus boosters and/or sutures. Some injuries might appear minor but on medical assessment could turn out to be fractures or internal bleeding.

WHAT NEXT?

In the days following the bite, it’s crucial to keep your pet safe and closely monitor the wound for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge (pus), a foul odour, or visible discomfort. If you notice any of these symptoms, a follow-up visit to the vet is essential to prevent complications.

Dog bites can also cause psychological trauma, potentially leading to fear or aggression down the road. If your dog shows signs of distress or changes in behaviour, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviourist to help your pet overcome these challenges and regain confidence.

To Prevent Future Incidents pet owners should 

• Socialize their pets to reduce fear-based aggression.

• Use a leash in public, especially around unfamiliar dogs.

• Avoid high-risk Situations: steer clear of places where dogs might feel territorial or stressed.

FINALLY

A dog bite is a serious matter that requires prompt attention. By following these steps, you can ensure your dog receives the care needed to heal physically and emotionally, reducing the chances of complications or future incidents.

NEED SOME HELP?

Verified animal experts and veterinarians are available for personalized consultations to answer all your questions about your pet’s behaviour, health, nutrition, and even coping with loss.

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