How to clean a dog bite on my dog

Image via iStock.com/hoozone

By Kate Hughes

Animals can be unpredictable creatures—even our true-blue four-legged friends. The most diligent dog owners may find themselves in the scary situation of having their dog be bitten by another dog.

Molly Sumridge, a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, says that dog bite incidents are responsible for about 80 percent of her business at Kindred Companions LLC, a dog training company she founded in Frenchtown, New Jersey.

When your pup sustains a dog bite, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, keeping a cool head in the event of a dog bite, knowing what you’re looking for when assessing the injury, and having an idea of what to do next can help ensure that the wounded dog receives the proper care and makes a speedy recovery.

Immediate Dog Bite Aftermath

Dr. Morgan Callahan, VMD at the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services (CARES), a 24-hour emergency veterinary care hospital in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, says that if you see a dog bite your dog, the first thing you should do is remove your dog from the situation.

“If the dog is able to walk, allow him to do so. This may calm him and will give you an opportunity to observe the dog’s gait and look for any bleeding,” she says.

If your dog isn’t able to walk, you should carry him, but Dr. Callahan says that even the gentlest dog may bite you when injured or scared, so you should be cautious.

It’s also important to gather as much information as possible. “If the owner is present, ask if the dog is up-to-date on his rabies vaccine,” Dr. Callahan says. “And collect contact information from the pet owner whenever possible.”

Dr. Callahan also notes that if the dog bite takes place on someone’s property, their homeowners insurance may cover some of the medical costs of the bite.

Assessing a Dog Bite

The severity of a dog bite is dependent on a variety of factors. A bite may encompass anything from a tiny nick to a series of wounds that require veterinary attention. Dr. Stacey Rebello, DVM, MS at NorthStar VETS, a veterinary emergency trauma and specialty center in Robbinsville, New Jersey, suggests that dog owners exercise caution when their dog suffers an attack.

“Generally, I recommend that all bite wounds be assessed by a veterinarian. Even tiny puncture wounds resulting from a bite are at a high risk of infection and should be addressed as soon as possible,” she says.

Dr. Callahan adds, “In veterinary school, we are taught that the puncture you see on the outside of the skin is the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in a bite wound injury. This is because a bite is both a crushing and shearing injury. Often, tissue can be damaged under the puncture, and a pocket is created. There may be bleeding or nerve damage under the skin that cannot be seen through the puncture. The tooth carries bacteria with it into the pocket and sets up a good environment for an abscess to form.”

She adds that certain areas of a dog’s body are more prone to complications than others, and that the location of a bite can a factor in whether or not medical treatment is necessary. “The mouth and nose heal very quickly. If a dog gets nicked or scratched there, I wouldn’t be too concerned. However, if the dog gets bit on the legs, the torso, or the neck, or around a joint that can become irritated, that’s when I recommend going to the vet.”

Dr. Callahan says that if your dog is vomiting, acting lethargic or having difficulty breathing, it is an emergency and “should be evaluated by a veterinarian right away.”

Treating Dog Bites

If you take your dog to the vet after a dog bite, here’s what you should expect:

“For smaller bites that don’t require surgical intervention, we normally perform a thorough wound evaluation, clip the surrounding hair, disinfect the region with an antibacterial solution, lavage the wound out with saline and start antibiotics.” explains Dr. Rebello. She says that your veterinarian may also decide to prescribe pain medication for dogs to help your dog feel more comfortable.

In more serious cases, like an infected dog bite, the dog bite treatment may require your dog to be under anesthesia. “If a puncture or deep pocket is found, then the veterinarian will suggest anesthetizing the dog to remove damaged tissues, and [will] place a drain to allow the dog’s body to get rid of any pooling infection,” Dr. Callahan says. “The drain is typically removed in three to five days when the drainage is minimal. Any remaining stitches are removed 10-14 days later. Even with surgery, dogs will often go home the same day with oral antibiotics and pain medication.”

In more serious cases, Dr. Callahan says that X-rays or ultrasounds may be suggested to look for broken bones or contusions. Vets can also use these tools to see if the bite has perforated the chest cavity or abdominal cavity, which is a much more severe case than a superficial wound.

The veterinarian will also assess the situation and decide if quarantine for 10 days and/or a rabies vaccine booster is required. This is usually dependent on the vaccine status of the aggressor.

Preventing Dog Bite Infections

Preventing infection is key after a dog bite. First and foremost, make sure to fully administer any dog antibiotics prescribed by the veterinarian.

It is very important to keep your dog from licking or scratching at their wound. Whether you veterinarian chooses to wrap the wound or not, it is best to be extra safe and use barriers to keep your dog from getting to the site of the wound. Dr. Callahan says that an Elizabethan collar (aka “the cone of shame”) can prevent a dog from licking and recontaminating the wound.

For pet parents who worry about their dog’s comfort while wearing these cones, there are variety of different options available. There are soft versions, like the Comfy Cone E-Collar, that will keep your dog from being able to get to his wound but also allow him to maneuver with ease.

There is also the KONG Cloud Collar, which resembles an airplane pillow. It creates a barrier but does not interfere with peripheral vision or the ability to eat or drink out of a dog bowl.

Getting Back to Normal

After a dog attack that results in a dog bite, getting your dog back to her normal, happy self may take some time. Dr. Laurie Bergman, VMD, a veterinary behaviorist who works at NorthStar VETS, says that the first step is identifying the situation that led to the bite.

“If the bite came from another dog who lives in the same house as the dog that got bit, you need to figure out what triggered the biting event. It could have been jostling over a favorite toy that escalated, or a nervous dog getting spooked by the doorbell. Both of these situations can lead to aggression,” she says.

Dr. Bergman adds that if this is the case, owners shouldn’t punish the dog that acted out, as that could make him more anxious and more likely to bite.

Dr. Bergman also says that owners need to be sure they know and understand their dog. “If she’s not happy and relaxed when meeting other dogs, then you shouldn’t put her in those situations. Dog owners need to learn what a dog looks like when relaxed versus when a dog is simply tolerating a situation,” she notes.

“And you need to be prepared to change your plans if something is off. For example, if you are going to the dog park and you see that there are a whole lot of dogs there, but your dog only does well with two or three other dogs, you should go for a nice long leash walk instead,” says Dr. Bergman.

Sumridge notes that dogs who suffer bites will often exhibit behavioral issues. “It isn’t just physical care that’s necessary with a bite, but behavioral care and management are important as well. It’s very likely that a dog will be fearful of whatever caused a bite, so he may be hesitant to interact with other dogs following a dog attack. He also might react aggressively to other dogs, and I mean all other dogs, not just the one who bit him. In this case, it’s imperative that you seek professional help. Don’t force interactions or socialization, because if reintroduction isn’t done properly, it can make the issue worse,” she explains.

Whether your dog got himself into a fight or was attacked out of the blue, he will need prompt care. Learn how to check for damage, clean the wound, and assess the need for veterinary attention.

Most dogs go through their lives without ever being involved in a real fight, but others are not so lucky. Maybe there was a disagreement over a toy at the dog park, or a loose dog went after yours while out on a walk. Whether your dog was the troublemaker or an innocent victim, here’s what to do if a dog bite occurs. 

Check for Dog Bite Damage

It’s fairly common for dogs to snark at each other if one is being too rude, especially if the dogs are worked up about something or vying for the same resource. These minor scuffles often don’t leave any injuries. But if your dog is in a dust-up, you should still check him over carefully afterward and look for signs of a dog bite. 

Part his hair and check the skin under areas that are wet from saliva. For dogs with long or thick coats, a brush or comb may be helpful to make a thorough and systematic examination. If the bite was just a warning nip or your dog has some evasion skills, there may just be a scrape from the other dog’s incisors (the small rows of teeth at the very front of the mouth). 

The longer canine teeth can make deep punctures and potentially also tear the skin. If you find one puncture mark, always check for more, keeping in mind the size of the attacker. There will frequently be two punctures from the upper canine teeth fairly close together (the width of the dog’s muzzle), and then a matching pair on the opposite side of your dog’s limb or neck. The depth and number of punctures will vary depending on the size of the dog, the force of the bite, and the location of the bite.

Full-mouth bites where all of the dog’s teeth come into contact with skin are less common, but can be very severe when they do occur. All dogs have large carnassial teeth toward the back of the mouth that work great for cutting and shearing food. You have probably seen your dog turn his head to the side to use these teeth when chewing on a bone or other hard treat. When a dog bites down with full force and gets a good grip with the entire jaw, it can do a lot of damage. These bites will be hard to miss.

The ears and face are common locations for bite wounds, as well as the neck and legs. Dog bites to the ears will often bleed excessively, even if it’s just a small nick. Bites in areas with thicker fur can be more difficult to find, and you may not discover them until your dog calms down enough to lick at them or begins to limp from a leg wound.

Clean the Dog Bite Wound

When you find a wound, flush it with slightly soapy water. Gently running water is best if possible, or wet a washcloth and then squeeze the water out onto the bite. Sterile saline is another great option if you have it available. This will help flush any debris out of the wound, including bacteria that could cause infection. 

Apply Pressure to the Bite Site

If the wound is actively bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth for several minutes to stop the blood flow. Ice wrapped in a cloth can be helpful if it’s available—the cold temperature causes the blood vessels to contract, lessening the amount of blood exiting the wound. Applying ice will also help combat inflammation and discomfort.

For small wounds, a bandage is usually unnecessary. Large wounds or ones that continue to bleed can benefit from a light bandage. Apply a sterile non-stick pad to the wound, and then wrap it with gauze and/or vet wrap to hold the pad in place. A small adhesive bandage like a Band-Aid may work for some very small nicks. 

Call Your Vet

Unless the bite is truly just superficial (on the surface of the skin), your dog should be seen by your veterinarian after being bitten. Your dog’s veterinary team will be able to make sure the wound is totally clean, and your vet can prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. 

If you’re able to control the bleeding quickly at home and your dog seems otherwise okay, the appointment can be scheduled within regular business hours. Even if your vet doesn’t have any open appointment slots, they may be able to take your dog as a drop-off. 

If the bleeding won’t stop, bone is exposed, an eye is involved, there is severe damage, or your dog is dazed or unconscious, he needs emergency care as soon as possible. If you are unsure about the urgency of your dog’s case, call and talk to the staff at the office so they can help talk you through it. Ask if you can text or email photos to help the staff determine whether your dog should be seen immediately or can wait for an appointment later in the day.

Dog Bite Treatment

At the hospital, the staff will get to work stopping any bleeding and stabilizing your dog if he is in shock. He may be given fluids to help with hydration and blood pressure. Depending on the extent of the wound, he may be sedated or put under anesthesia so the vet can further clean the wound and suture it closed. 

When possible, bite wounds are often left open to heal on their own. Bacteria love moist, enclosed spaces, making a closed wound the perfect stage for an infection. Wounds on the feet and lower legs, however, are frequently bandaged to protect them during the initial healing process. Large wounds may also be bandaged. Bandages must be kept clean and dry, and may need to be changed frequently.

For large bites, your vet may put in place a drain that allows fluid to exit your dog’s body instead of building up in a pocket. Drains are messy, but it’s worth the hassle for a few days to prevent a bacteria-filled pocket from turning into an abscess. In some cases, the vet may need to debride (remove) damaged tissue a few days after the initial bite.

Dog Bite Antibiotics

Most dogs who have been bitten by another dog will be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection. There is lots of bacteria in a dog’s mouth, and while most of these are harmless in their normal environment, a bite wound provides a great spot to start an infection. 

Your veterinarian will likely start with a broad-spectrum antibiotic that’s effective against a wide range of pathogens. Follow the instructions on the label and give the entire course, even if your dog seems to be healing well. If your dog does develop an infection, or if he had been missing before you found him with the bite wound, your vet may send out a swab for a culture and sensitivity test to determine the best antibiotic to defeat your dog’s infection.

Hopefully, your dog’s rabies vaccination is already current (check those certificates!). If it’s overdue or is going to be due in the near future, your veterinarian will likely give him a booster shot to make sure he’s protected. This is especially important if you don’t know the vaccination status of the dog that bit your dog.

Working with Dogs in Pain

A tip: Whenever you are working with a dog that may be in pain, it’s wise to use a muzzle. Even the sweetest dog can bite if she is in pain. Muzzles are available at any pet supply store, and cloth or mesh muzzles are easy to store in a first aid kit. Practice putting the muzzle on your dog, using treats to reward her and make wearing it a positive experience. This will make it much easier to get the muzzle on in an emergency.