Dog Bite Treatment

Dog bite is a problem that you may face, either because of the dog in your neighborhood or even if you own a dog yourself. Though most dogs bite when they are playful and naughty, they may also bite fiercely when they are angry and this of course, will be a serious problem. Dog bites are relatively common in children as there are a number of dog breeds that are not really tolerant with children. Even though the dog may be vaccinated as per schedule, its biting you poses various problems that need to be taken care of. Multiple dog bites need special attention and the lack of treatment may lead to the development of an infection.

Treatment for Dog Bite - Puncture Wounds
Puncture wounds are those in which the dog's teeth pierce into the skin but no tearing of the skin takes place. The treatment should be administered as soon as the victim has managed to set himself free of the dog or at least within eight hours of the bite. Lock the dog up in a crate and take the victim as far away as possible from the dog. Start administering the treatment by following basic first aid guidelines. If the victim is bleeding badly, try stopping the bleeding by applying pressure. Once the bleeding stops, clean the area of the bite with an antibacterial or anti-septic solution. Make sure you clean the wound thoroughly of all the dirt. Apply some betadine to the wound site and then cover it up with some antibiotic ointment applied to a sterile gauze.

Treatment for Dog Bite - Laceration
In case of laceration wounds, the skin is torn by the penetration of the dog's teeth into the skin. This is a serious type of wound and needs immediate medical attention. Stitches will be required to cure this type of wound and it usually leaves back a noticeable scar. This type of wound will also require more time to heal as compared to the puncture wounds.

Dog Bite Care
In both the types of dog bites, antibiotics should be administered to prevent infections that can be caused by the bacteria deposited by the dog's teeth. Allowing the blood to flow for a few minutes after the bite will also help eliminate the bacteria. Make sure the wound is kept covered for its healing to take place normally. The wound may be accompanied by some amount of swelling and pain for which pain killers can be taken. Keep the bite affected area in an elevated position to reduce the swelling. Gather information about the dog's immunization status. If the dog has it vaccinations in place, the victim may just require a tetanus shot, else rabies vaccination needs to be administered. This is essential for the prevention of rabies and sepsis.

Home Remedies
Along with the medical treatment for dog bites, making use of some home remedies can also be helpful in curing the bite quickly.

• Apply a mixture of turmeric and honey to the wound. The antiseptic properties of turmeric and the soothing properties of honey will help heal the bite faster.
• Consume vitamin C supplements on a daily basis until the wound has healed completely.
• Make a herbal mixture for topical application, by grinding together three walnuts, some salt and an onion. Apply this paste to the wound and bandage it up. This mixture works as an anti-poison remedy.
• Consume three to four garlic, thrice a day to treat dog bites.
• Sprinkle some asafetida powder on the wound to reduce the swelling and to heal the wound quickly.

Dog bites can be prevented by imparting effective dog training too. Make sure you administer the treatment as soon as possible for the well-being of the victim and for the prevention of infections.