Essential Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Dog Biting is very normal in all part of societies. If a dog bites someone, take immediate action. This can help prevent infection and potentially save a life. Quick response is crucial, especially if the bite is severe or the dog is suspected to be rabid. Here’s what to do step by step:

🆘 Emergency Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

1. Ensure Safety

• Get away from the dog to prevent more bites.
• Avoid panicking, but act quickly.

2. Assess the Wound

• Minor bite (no deep bleeding): Often manageable at home.
• Deep bite, torn skin, heavy bleeding, or bite on face/neck/hands/genitals: Requires urgent medical care.

3. Stop the Bleeding

• Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
• Elevate the area if possible.

4. Clean the Wound Immediately

• Wash the area with mild soap and lots of running water for 5–10 minutes.
• Use antiseptic like iodine or hydrogen peroxide if available (but not inside deep wounds).

5. Apply a Clean Dressing

• Use a sterile bandage or clean cloth.
• Avoid closing deep wounds tightly; let air flow until evaluated by a doctor.

💉 Medical Attention: When and Why

Seek Medical Attention Immediately If:

• The wound is deep, bleeding heavily, or shows signs of damage.
• The dog is unknown, wild, or non vaccinated.
• You haven’t had a tetanus shot in the past 5–10 years.
• The bite is on the face, hands, feet, or genitals.
• Signs of infection (swelling, redness, pus, warmth, fever) develop.
• You are immunocompromised.

🦠 Rabies Risk: A Life-Threatening Concern

• Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear.
• If the dog is unknown or unvaccinated, go to the hospital for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
• If the dog can be observed for 10 days and shows no symptoms, PEP may not be necessary (but this decision should be made by a doctor).

💉 Vaccination Protocol (if needed)

1. Tetanus Shot – within 48 hours if not up to date.
2. Rabies Vaccine – 4 doses over 2 weeks.
3. Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) – if never vaccinated for rabies.

🚑 When to Call Emergency Services

Call emergency services if:

• The bleeding won’t stop.
• The person is unconscious or going into shock.
• There are signs of a severe allergic reaction or difficulty breathing.