Immediate Care of Dog Bites

Dog bites require immediate care and treatment. Dogs have powerful jaws--large-sized dogs can often exert more than 450 lbs. of pressure per square inch. A dog's mouth and saliva is filled with bacteria, which may cause disease if it enters broken skin. Dog bites to the hand are potentially the most serious, due to the complicated structure of the human hand. There are many joints, tendons and small bones in the hand with less blood circulation to those areas, making it more difficult for the body to ward off infection. Dog bites on the head area can cause fractures of the face and skull, leading to brain and nervous system infections. According to the School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University, Dog bites cause approximately 15 to 20 fatalities each year in the United States.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Antibiotic ointment or cream
• Sterile bandage

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash the dog bite with soap and water under a faucet for at least five minutes. Do not scrub the dog bite as this may further bruise the injured skin tissue. If the dog bite is bleeding, apply pressure to it with a clean towel until the bleeding stops

• 2

  Apply an antiseptic ointment or cream to the dog bite.

• 3

  Cover the dog bite with a sterile bandage.

• 4

  Keep the dog bite elevated above the level of your heart to lessen the chances of developing infection and stop any swelling.

• 5

  Call your physician or healthcare provider to report the dog bite and determine if additional treatment is required, such as a tetanus shot or antibiotics.