First Aid For
Dog Bites

There are 800,000 dog bites a year in the U.S. One out of six will require medical attention.

An American has a one in fifty chance of being bitten by a dog each year.

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First Aid Treatment

• Clean wound with soap and water
• Apply a topical antibiotic like Neosporin
• Apply a Band-Aid or wrap in gauze if needed

For major dog bites that break the surface of the skin

For Cuts

• Stop bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding.
• If the wound is on the neck or face or covers large sections of the body. Seek immediate medical help.
• Cleanse the wound with soap and water.
• Make sure that no dirt or foreign material remain in the wound.
• The edges can be held together by using a butterfly bandage.
• If the edges of the wound cannot be brought together stitches will be required.

For Puncture Wounds

• Puncture wounds can appear small or harmless in nature but are notorious for getting infected. A puncture wound can drive bacteria and germs deep into the tissue. The narrow opening of the wound makes cleaning and removing the bacteria difficult.
• Wash wound with soap and water.
• If the wound is bleeding slightly it is best NOT to stop the bleeding unless it is life threatening. Allowing it to bleed is one of the best ways to carry foreign material from the wound.
• Do not close the wound. This can quickly lead to infection. Instead cover the puncture with a loose gauze to keep dirt and debris out of the wound.
• Clean punctures several times a day for the first 4 or 5 days.
• Watch for signs of infection which can include redness, swelling, pus, and fever.

For Bites from a Stray Dog

• With stray animals your main concern is rabies.
• If possible and if it's safe capture the animal so it can be tested for rabies.
• Call animal control in your area. Notify them that you has been bitten. They will test the animal for you. If the animal cannot be captured animal control will want to know if you develop rabies so they can find the diseased animal.
• Use the treatment guide above to treat stray dog bites.
• Seek immediate medical treatment.

Symptoms of the Onset of Rabies

• Incubation of the illness can be very long. Anywhere from 10 days to 1 year. The average is 30 to 50 days before the first symptoms appear.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fatigue and lethargy.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Half of all patients experience numbness around the area of the bite.
• Insomnia and depression.

Two to Ten Days Later

• Hypersensitivity and hyperactivity.
• Hallucinations
• Disorientation
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Cardiac or respiratory arrest can lead to sudden death. Or it can lead to a coma that can last for months with the aid of life-support measures.

If you even suspect you might have contracted rabies go to the hospital immediately.

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