Dog Bite
An Article by Worsley Training – First Aid Training in and around Wiltshire
Dog and cat bites tend to cause a puncture wound in the skin, and as their mouths are full of bacteria, infection can penetrate deeply.
If there is a cut or graze check for any embedded objects – if so, do not remove them.
Control any big bleeding by applying direct pressure with some clean material for 10 minutes to allow clotting (tea towel, muslin, spare t-shirt etc.)
Otherwise clean the wound under running water for 10 minutes and monitor for signs of infection:
- redness, pain or swelling around the wound
- discharge from the wound
- fever causing sweats and chills
- swollen lymph glands in neck, armpits or groin
Seek medical advice unless the wound is very minor. You should also check that the casualty’s tetanus vaccination is up to date.
Animals can act unpredictably and bites aren’t always provoked. However, an animal is more likely to bite if it’s been disturbed, feels threatened, or gets overexcited.
As the owners of Tiggy, a very chilled springer spaniel who is bomb proof with small children, I still ask people to treat her with respect – don’t approach her suddenly or interrupt her when eating or sleeping.
Also, I tell our kids to avoid stroking or petting unfamiliar dogs and when greeting a dog for the first time, let it sniff you before petting it.
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