Most dog bites occur around the neck, face, ears, and the upper chest area. And although most skin punctures from other canine teeth look simple and clean, there is often a considerable amount of damage through the flesh. Injuries, bites, or stings from insects and venomous animals are often difficult to find and administer symptomatic treatment. Contact your veterinarian if the dog shows any agitation at all. Below are several bite and sting descriptions as well as how to best deal with them.
Dog Bites
1. If you are witnessing two dogs fighting each other then be careful not to get yourself injured when trying to separate them. A safe and effective way to break up two dogs is by throwing cold water on them. Be sure to allow the dog some time to calm down before examining for possible injuries. If you spot skin that has been lacerated or punctured, clip the hair away from the wound.
2. Remove all of the clipped hair then carefully wash the area with warm water and a mild disinfectant. To prevent further hair from getting inside of the wound and causing irritation, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly around the outside of the bite.
3. If the skin is punctured, then take the dog to the vet to receive some sort of antibiotic treatment. If the skin is lacerated, then be sure to apply antiseptic cream to the area. Do not be alarmed if bruising occurs. If the laceration is severe enough then your dog may need to get stitches.
Bee And Wasp Stings
While playing outside your dog may experience being stung by a wasp or a bee. Although both types of insects are similar, they each leave a different sting. Wasp and hornet stings cause pain and swelling. Some dogs are very sensitive and allergic to stings and will react badly. If there is acute swelling to the mouth then immediate veterinarian care is vital.
When a bee stings your dog, it leaves an embedded stinger in the skin. If you suspect that your dog has been stung by a bee then examine the area carefully to pinpoint the stinger. Once located, remove the stinger with a pair of tweezers. You may need to look through a magnifying glass just to be sure you get the entire stinger unlogged. If there is excessive swelling once the stinger is removed, then apply an icepack.
Like young children, puppies are accident prone, some more than others, males ore than females. As they become bolder and more explorative, adolescent dogs get into all kinds of scrapes. By the time they reach maturity, however, all of them will have learned to recognize their physical limitations. In spite of their worldly wisdom, there are simply too many hazards in modern life to remain completely immune from accidental injuries.
A few notions of first aid may save your dogs life. First of all, size up the situation and decide what needs to be done. Talk to your dog constantly in a reassuring tone of voice. He will know instinctively that you are trying to help him and will usually be co-operative. The most common ailments requiring first aid are wounds and bites.
The gravity of a wound depends on its location, its type and its importance. Minor, superficial cuts usually heal rapidly with first aid care. Body wounds may require stitching by the vet, as do head wounds of any importance. Any wounds involving an artery require urgent veterinary attention and immediate first aid in order to control the bleeding in the meantime.
Bleeding from a wound comes either from a vein (in which case the blood flow is dark red in a steady flow and can be stopped by applying pressure with a tight bandage or your fingers). Capillary blood vessels near the skin surface can also cause bleeding, usually the result of a bruise. A sufficiently large gauze pad, dampened to prevent it from sticking, can be used to apply pressure over this wound. Lastly, bleeding form an artery is the worst type of wound.
Bleeding form an artery spurts out in rhythm with the heartbeat is bright red, and is stopped by direct pressure on the bleeding area with a clean cloth or an ice pack. Arterial bleeding can also be stopped with a tourniquet placed between the wound and the heart. Use a soft, strong strip of cloth, a necktie, or a handkerchief tied tightly enough to stop the bleeding, and release it for one minute in every 10 minutes, while you rush your dog to the vet.
Dog and cat bites should be treated like puncture wounds, washing them with soap and water, pouring in antiseptic, and checking for signs of infection which would call for an antibiotic or penicillin injection by the vet. If the biter was a stray, wild, or unknown animal, take your dog to the vet at once for precautionary protection against rabies. For any puncture wound you should wash the puncture all the way to the bottom. This is best done by the vet who can anesthetize the dog or at least restrain him during this painful process.
All ordinary wounds should first be examined and any foreign matter removed. If the wound is dirty, you may let it bleed for a moment, then wash it thoroughly with mild soap and water. Wipe or sponge it dry and apply an antiseptic, such as:
- mercurochrome (good for bruises and minor cuts) - 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (recommended for deep cuts, since it foams on contact with flesh and helps clean the wound)
The majority of minor cuts need no more treatment than this, not even a bandage. Your dig will lick it, which will keep it clean, and it will heal rapidly. If there is redness and swelling, the wound is infected and you should take your dog to the vet for an antibiotic or penicillin injection.
Both Gene Sower & Randy Jones are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gene Sower has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bull Terrier Dogs, Real Estate and Dogs. Gene Sower is the publisher of the DOG BYTES newsletter and owner of , a. Gene Sower's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Randy Jones has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Dogs and Pets. Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest