Photo gallery - unconventional treatment of wounds from dog bites. Deep and extensive laceration, but uncontaminated
One of common reasons a visit to the emergency room is a bite from a domestic or stray dog. Unfortunately, our country has not developed clear mechanisms for controlling stray animals, which is why a walk past a landfill or a deserted alley can end in meeting, well, one stray dog.
In a situation where you are bitten by a dog, whether domestic or stray, you cannot hesitate. You need to provide first aid and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Dog bite - what to do
If a dog bites on the street, it is most likely a stray (unless its owner is nearby), in which case there is a possibility that it is infected with the rabies virus.
In this regard, such a bite requires a mandatory visit to the emergency room, as well as to the veterinary service, because if the dog is not caught, it may bite someone else. That is why, no matter how strange it may sound, it is necessary to remember the signs of the dog that bit you.
What to do if bitten by a domestic dog
If the dog that bit you is a pet, contact its owner or ask him on the spot whether the dog has been vaccinated against, what vaccine and how long ago ( different vaccines operate at different times).
Remember that if you are bitten by someone's dog, you have every right demand compensation from the owner for the damage caused to you. In this case, you need to seek legal assistance to file a lawsuit.
First aid for a dog bite
Many people do not know how to treat a dog bite, which is why they often do it incorrectly. The first rule is that before treating a wound with an antiseptic, it must be thoroughly washed using water and soap, and it is better if the soap is laundry soap.
This is because it contains many times more alkali, which prevents bacteria from entering the wound. This should be done in any case, even if the dog did not bite until it bled, because it may leave marks on the skin. invisible to the eye scratches, which are also a “gateway” for infection.
You should not use alcohol, vodka, brilliant green, etc. to treat the wound. You can resort to such antiseptics only if you do not have hydrogen peroxide on hand. It is with its help that it is better to treat a bite. And the antiseptics listed above can slow down wound healing due to tissue burns.
After this, it is advisable to apply a tight gauze bandage to the bite site and consult a doctor. Well, if there is heavy bleeding at the wound site, do not waste time and call an ambulance.
Dog bite - treatment
Animal bites should not be treated at home! Firstly, bite wounds can often be lacerated and accompanied by severe blood loss, and secondly, a mass enters the bloodstream with the animal’s saliva pathogenic microorganisms, which can cause suppuration and infection; thirdly, the bite of a stray dog in most cases requires treatment, which is carried out only by a doctor.
And don't be afraid. Rabies vaccination today is not 40 injections in the stomach, but only 6 over 3 months (1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90 days after the bite), and even then in the shoulder, which is transferred to times easier.
When deciding how to treat a dog bite, doctors evaluate the severity of the bite, its location, the presence of dead skin around it, signs of inflammation and suppuration, etc. Beforehand, the surgeon may even remove some skin around the injury to avoid infection.
After this, the wound is washed and thoroughly cleaned, the patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics, the purpose of which is also to prevent suppuration. With all this, the wound may not be sutured during this time in order to prevent infection and other complications. Instead, they put it on her sterile bandage, and only after a few days are they stitched up.
Also, the doctor may refer you to it if you have not had this vaccination, because in addition to rabies, the animal’s saliva also threatens this dangerous infection. Fortunately, vaccination against is just one shot, not 6.
A child was bitten by a dog - what to do?
If a child has been bitten by a dog, you shouldn’t even think about how to treat a dog bite at home! The child’s body is even more susceptible to infection, and if the wound is lacerated, it requires a neat suture that will not leave scars.
The first thing you need to do if a child is bitten by a dog is to calm him down. IN in an affectionate way stop the child's crying, explain that everything will heal, that the doctor will treat the wound and there will be no trace left of it.
If she bit domestic dog, the child may need it, since there is a high probability of fear of dogs and other pets, fear of betrayal, etc.
More than 150 thousand people suffer from dog bites in Russia every year, and dozens of deaths from rabies are recorded.
An increase in cases of dog bites is recorded during the period June-September.
There are tens of times fewer victims of stray dog bites than there are victims of owner dog bites.
Dogs are the most dangerous fighting breeds(pit bulls, rottweilers, German shepherd mixes, German shepherds, Dobermans, etc.)
Dog bites most often affect men, children aged 1-4 years, and children 10-13 years old.
Bites predominate on the legs (in adults), and in children on the head, face, and neck.
More than 15% of all dog bites are complicated by infection and development inflammatory process.
For humans, the most common source of a fatal disease like rabies is sick dogs.
What are the consequences of a dog bite for a person?
First of all, this is infection of the wound and the development of a local purulent-inflammatory process, which happens in 15-20% of all bites. In addition, systemic infection and the development of sepsis (rare) are possible if the microorganism enters the bloodstream person.Most often, wound infections are caused by the following microorganisms: pasteurella (40-50%), streptococci (35-45%), staphylococci (30-40%), and microbes that multiply in an oxygen-free environment Fusobacterium, Bacteriodes, etc. (20-30% ). In most cases, the microbial flora in infected wound mixed. All of the listed microorganisms are found in oral cavity When dogs bite, they get into the wound area.
The development of wound infection usually occurs 8-24 hours after the bite.
Symptoms of infection in the wound:
Local:
- Signs of inflammation - redness, swelling, pain
- Purulent discharge, sometimes with an unpleasant odor
- Increase in nearby lymph nodes
- Increased body temperature
- Possible headache
- Mild malaise, weakness
What is rabies?
Rabies– a severe infectious disease caused by a virus. Transmitted through the bites and saliva of sick animals. The disease is accompanied by damage to neurons in the spinal cord and brain. In the absence timely treatment leads to death in 100% of cases.
Who can spread rabies?
1. The main sources of the rabies virus are wild animals:- In Russia, 90% are foxes
- Raccoon dog
- Korsak
- Arctic fox (in the tundra zone)
- IN last year rabies has been recorded in beavers, ferrets, badgers, gray rats, martens, wild cats, moose, house mice, gray rats.
- Distributors of the disease can be: squirrels, muskrats, nutria, hamsters, bears, bats.
The disease is not transmitted from person to person!
How does infection occur?
- When bitten by a sick animal
- If the saliva of a sick animal gets on mucous membranes or damaged skin
Symptoms of rabies in a dog
Appearance:- Excessive drooling and vomiting
- Strabismus
- Sagging lower jaw
- Hoarse and muffled barking
- I arise from time to time seizures
- The animal is aggressive, excited
- Can unexpectedly attack a person
- Gnaws the ground and various objects
Mechanism of disease development
The virus penetrates through damaged areas of the skin or through mucous membranes. nerve endings. Along which it moves at a speed of approximately 3 mm per hour to the spinal cord and brain. Having reached the structures of the brain, the virus penetrates neurons, where it begins to multiply. After which the virus moves in the opposite direction from the center to the periphery. The virus spreads throughout the body (salivary, lacrimal glands, kidneys, lungs, intestines, skeletal muscles, etc.). The appearance of drooling, increased sweating, convulsive contractions of the respiratory and swallowing muscles is associated with damage to the structures of the central nervous system. Death occurs from damage to vital centers (vasomotor and respiratory).
In all cases, does a person develop rabies from the bite of a sick animal?
The likelihood of developing the disease depends on the location of the bite. So, with a bite on the neck or face, the disease occurs in 90% of cases, with bites on the arms (hands) - 60%, with bites on the shoulder or thigh in 23% of cases.Symptoms of rabies in humans
On average, the disease develops 1-2 months after the bite, but the onset of the disease is possible 7 days and a year after the bite. The speed at which symptoms appear depends on the depth, extent of the bite and, most importantly, its location. The closer the bite is to the brain, the faster the disease develops. Symptoms of the disease develop most quickly after a bite to the head, face, neck and much later after bites to the lower extremities.The disease is characterized by 3 main periods, which are characterized by certain symptoms.
- Initial period or period of disease precursors(duration 1-3 days)
- Pain and discomfort in the area of the bite (which arise through long time after a bite on a healed wound)
- Possible increase in temperature
- Violation mental state(depression, irritability, isolation, refusal to eat, sleep disturbance, feelings of fear, melancholy, fear of death, anxiety).
- General malaise, headache
- The period of the height of the disease or the period of excitation(duration 2-3 days)
- During this period, attacks of excitement occur, which are accompanied by both mental and physical arousal. At the time of the attack, a person experiences muscle spasms, pharynx, larynx, diaphragm, facial muscles, pupils dilate, and there is a characteristic expression of horror on the face. During an attack, consciousness changes, hallucinations and delusions occur. The patient's breathing quickens, becomes uneven with deep noisy whistles, and breathing may stop at the height of the attack. The attacks last from several seconds to minutes, and their frequency increases over time.
- An attack can be triggered by an attempt to drink water (fear of water - hydrophobia), or a breath of air (aerophobia), loud sound(acoustic phobia), bright light (photophobia).
- The patient has strong salivation, constantly spits saliva, and foam appears at the mouth. The occurrence of foam at the mouth is associated with a violation of the act of swallowing in combination with excessive salivation.
- The patient is very excited, screams, rushes about, is aggressive, can attack with fists, bite. Excessive emotional activity can last from 2-3 hours to 2-3 days.
- Period of calm or imaginary improvement (duration 1-3 days)
- Stopping seizures and agitation
- Consciousness clears up
- Death occurs from a block of the respiratory or vasomotor center.
Diagnosis of rabies
When making a diagnosis of rabies, one mainly relies on the symptoms of the disease and the history of its occurrence. However, it is possible to isolate the virus from saliva or cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, there is an analysis from an imprint of the cornea or a piece of skin on the back of the head, which allows us to identify the causative agent of the disease. The diagnosis is most accurately established posthumously, when specific inclusions in neurons (Babes-Negri bodies) are determined during an analysis of the patient’s brain.
Consequences of rabies
4 days after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, 50% of patients die, after 20 days 100% of patients die.Prevention of rabies
Typically, prophylaxis is given to people who have high risk rabies infection (dog catchers, hunters, veterinarians, foresters, slaughterhouse workers). At the first stage of vaccination, 3 injections of 1 ml of vaccine are given (on the first day, on the 7th and on the 30th). Next vaccination in a year (1 injection). Then every 3 years, 1 injection.
Contraindications for preventive vaccination
- Pregnancy
- Allergic reactions to previous administration of this drug (rash, angioedema, etc.)
- Allergy to antibiotics
- Acute diseases(infectious and non-infectious nature), chronic diseases in exacerbation, vaccination should be carried out a month after recovery.
First aid for a dog bite
How to provide first aid to someone who has been bitten, a guide
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| What to do? | How? | For what? |
| 1. Wash the wound | Wash the wound under running water and soap for at least 5 minutes (you can also use another detergent that dissolves fats) | The rabies virus dies in an alkaline environment, under the influence disinfectants and fat solvents. |
| 2. Treat the wound and its edges |
| Disinfection, prevention of infection and wound suppuration. Hydrogen peroxide can be poured into the wound cavity, which will have three effects at once positive effects: mechanically removes various contaminants that have entered the wound, stops bleeding and disinfects the wound. |
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| 4. Stop bleeding (if any) | Ways to temporarily stop bleeding:
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| 5. Apply a sterile dressing |
| Prevents further contamination of the wound and the entry of various microorganisms into it. |
| 6. Administer rabies vaccine (the procedure is painless and free of charge) | Rabies immunoglobulin(injected around the wound and into the depth of the wound). Dose 40 IU/kg and 20 IU/kg. Always administered before the vaccine is administered. For special indications. Rabies vaccine (COCAV) Enter intramuscularly in the shoulder(deltoid muscle), for children under 5 years old - in the thigh ( upper part anterior lateral surface). Do not inject into the gluteal region. There are 2 main vaccine administration regimens, which depend on the severity of the bite. The number of injections is no more than 6!
After the vaccine is administered, the patient requires observation for at least 30 minutes. Vaccination sites must have everyone necessary conditions to provide antishock treatment. After the course of treatment, a certificate is issued indicating the type and series of vaccines administered and with a mention of post-vaccination reactions. It is forbidden:
| Vaccine (COCAV) is a neutralized virus that promotes the development of immunity to the rabies virus. Possible adverse reactions (rare): redness, itching, swelling at the site of vaccine administration, enlarged lymph nodes (axillary, cervical), malaise, weakness, fever, headache. Immunoglobulin– is a protein that neutralizes the rabies virus. Possible side effects immunoglobulin: anaphylactic shock, |
Some features of therapeutic vaccination:
Vaccination is not carried out if the biting animal has been vaccinated, and the dog owner has all necessary documents confirming the vaccination of the animal. 2. In what cases is treatment using immunoglobulin carried out?
4. Infancy a child or pregnancy is not a reason to refuse therapeutic vaccination. 5. Treatment is carried out regardless of how long it takes for the victim to seek help (possibly several months after the bite). 6. Vaccinations after a dog bite for children
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Dog bite prevention
- You should not approach a dog guarding its puppies.
- Do not suddenly disturb the dog if it is sleeping
- Don't touch your dog while he's eating.
- Respect the dog's territory (its place, etc.)
- Don't let your child touch unfamiliar dog
- Don't leave your child alone with the dog
First aid for a dog bite should not only stop the bleeding, but also prevent infection by bacteria contained in the saliva. A common dog bite can lead to an abscess, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and meningitis. The most dangerous infections are tetanus and rabies. The consequences can be dire, including death.
A dog that has bitten should be tried not to be left out of sight, since the state veterinary service is obliged to establish surveillance of the animal and find out how dangerous the dog is to others. If the dog is not a stray, you need to find out from its owner whether the animal has been vaccinated against rabies within the last 2 years. This information is extremely important.
The situation is more complicated if she was bitten stray dog. It is not always possible to independently determine whether an animal has rabies. External symptoms– aggressiveness, gait disturbance, increased salivation, drooping tail, hoarse and shrill barking - appear only a few days after infection. Therefore, in the event of a dog bite, you need to consult a doctor as quickly as possible, but first, provide first aid to the victim.
Local wound treatment
If the tissue damage is deep and extensive, first of all, you need to stop the bleeding, but not immediately: the dog’s saliva comes out of the wound along with the blood. You must also be prepared for the fact that in case of damage to the veins and arteries, a person may experience pain shock.
First aid for a dog bite is to thoroughly wash the wound with soapy water
First, the wound, as well as all places where the animal’s saliva has come into contact, are washed generously with soapy water ( ideal option – laundry soap), then the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide. This measure will prevent rabies infection by 90%. The edges of the wound (namely the edges, but not the wound itself!) should be treated with 5% tincture of iodine or brilliant green.
After disinfection, a cotton or gauze swab, lightly securing it with a plaster or bandage so that the bandage is not airtight. If the bleeding is profuse, a pressure bandage is needed.
Medical assistance is necessary!
Then you should urgently contact medical care. Doctors should give rabies injections: 6 injections in the shoulder over 3 months, prescribe the necessary antibiotics, and also find out when you had a tetanus shot. Conduct surgery They should not be put into the wound during the first 3 days.
As you can see, providing first aid for a dog bite is extremely important, therefore, in the event of an animal attack, you should not neglect these measures and risk human life.
And one more important point. In no case should the owner of the dog get away with everything that happened, who is obliged to compensate for the damage caused. If he is in no hurry to do this on his own, seek help from a lawyer. To do this, you need to submit an appropriate medical certificate, file a written claim addressed to the dog owner, draw up statement of claim to court and, of course, provide testimony.
Sincerely,
Usually dogs attack people during the mid-season periods, especially in spring and autumn. Everyone should know what to do if bitten by a dog.
If very large area bite, especially if there is a lot of blood flowing and it is difficult for you to move - first of all, urgently call an ambulance or ask someone to call one.
If you can get home, go to the bathroom, where you should thoroughly wash the wounds with water and (this is not a typo - with soap!). Expensive soap not advisable - household grade is better, it has more alkali.
Be patient and rub the surface of the bite for a few minutes. Try to wash away all the dog's saliva from the surface of the wound.
You can pour hydrogen peroxide on the wound and treat the skin around the wound with iodine. Stopping the bleeding is not the main task. It is better to wash the wound thoroughly, as the infection is washed away along with the blood.
Then apply a gauze or cotton swab to the wound, do not press too hard, wrap it with a bandage or plaster.
Whatever it is, you definitely need to visit a doctor! Usually this is a traumatology center at the place of residence. Naturally, you can go to any other place. Medical assistance bitten by a dog is needed to prevent rabies.
Know everything: rabies is a deadly infection!!! Not only dogs can be contagious, but also foxes, cats, wolves and, in general, any warm-blooded animal. Rabies can be treated with a vaccine, sometimes for several months.
How to avoid a dog attack in general? Why get treatment then? Well, from simple tips- don’t look her in the eye, don’t wave your arms and legs, don’t shout to the whole street, and don’t even smile (there’s no time for smiling here).
It's clear that some dogs don't care what you do and may attack you regardless.
If the danger is too close, try to somehow avoid a collision. You can use the entrance of a house, a gate, a store, a telephone booth, or some high place where an evil animal cannot reach. But just don’t run towards the obstacle, walk at a calm pace, most importantly facing the dog.
As soon as you run, the dog will immediately catch up with you. You can lean against a wall or a bus stop. Take off your outer clothing, wrap it around your hand, and pull it forward.
In some cases, you can try to seize the initiative. You can command the dog “No!”, “Ugh!”. This often helps.
Dogs are very afraid of opening an umbrella. If he is with you, use him. The sudden opening of an umbrella has a deterrent effect on any dog. Sometimes ordinary sand under your feet helps - throw it in the enemy’s face.
If you have already had problems with dogs, then you may need a psychologist. Or maybe classes in special groups with dogs. There you will learn not to be afraid of dogs at all, understand their nature, and maybe you will again love and understand these very kind and most importantly loyal animals.
Dog - best friend person. Most people certainly agree with this statement. Indeed, the devotion of this animal has become the talk of the town. However, despite its wonderful qualities, a dog can cause significant harm to a person - bite. Everyone should know what to do if attacked by a dog, how to minimize the harm from an encounter with an aggressive animal, and how to treat the consequences of bites.
Why is a dog bite dangerous?
More than 150 thousand Russians seek medical help every year after attacks and dog bites. Dozens of people die from rabies transmitted by dog bites. Cases of dog aggression are increasing in summer period, and people suffer more from pets than from homeless people. Most often, adult men and children receive bites: children aged two to four years and adolescents aged 10–14 years.
The worst bites from dogs of fighting and some service breeds are: German Shepherds, bull terriers, rottweilers, pit bulls, dobermans. The bite force of these animals is very strong and they cause serious damage.
A dog bite is an injury, the danger of which depends on many factors:
- Bite forces - wounds can be different:
- superficial (pricked), when the integrity of the skin is slightly compromised; such injuries, in the absence of complications, heal quite quickly;
- torn, when the bites are much deeper - they can be torn soft fabrics, and in some especially severe cases, joints, bones, and ligaments are damaged.
- Bite sites: in adults, most often the legs (ankles) and arms (hands and forearms) are affected; children can be bitten by dogs on the neck, face, or head. The most dangerous injuries are in the neck and head; deep wounds in these places can be fatal.
- Health conditions of the dog - with the saliva of an aggressive animal, various bacteria and viruses enter the wound, among which the most dangerous is the rabies virus.
Rabies is a serious disease that is transmitted through the saliva of a sick animal. The disease is 100% fatal. You can become infected with the virus not only if saliva gets into a bite wound, but also if you salivate on damaged skin or mucous membranes.
It is worth knowing that the virus is contained in the animal’s secretions 8–10 days before visible symptoms diseases. Therefore, with a bite from any dog, even a seemingly healthy one, it is imperative to contact medical institution.
The fact that a dog is sick can be determined by its appearance and behavior:
- drooling, foaming from the mouth;
- drooping of the lower jaw;
- vomiting;
- periodic seizures;
- hoarse, muffled barking.
It is likely that an aggressive dog whose jaw drops, drools excessively, and has seizures has rabies. The dog is excited, aggressive, ready to attack, and may chew the ground or objects in its field of vision.
What is the likelihood of contracting rabies from a sick animal? This directly depends on what part of the body the bite occurred on. If the neck or facial tissue is damaged, then the possibility of getting sick is very high and amounts to 90%. When bitten on the hand, the probability of infection is 50–60%; if the lower leg, shoulder or thigh is injured, then the percentage is even lower - about 20.
In addition to rabies infection, after a bite there is a high probability of developing tetanus, the causative agent of which can be present in the soil, on various objects and can easily get into the wound. Tetanus is a disease whose prognosis is always disappointing.
In addition to the possibility of contracting tetanus or rabies, dog bites can have the following consequences:
- Significant blood loss if the wounds are very serious; Large arteries may be ruptured or organs may be damaged with the development of internal bleeding.
- Wound infection - occurs in 15–20% of all bites; More often it is a local purulent-inflammatory process, in rare cases it is a systemic infection with the development of a serious complication - sepsis. There are many different microorganisms in a dog's mouth that are pathogenic to humans. When microbes enter a wound, they cause infection. Depending on the type of pathogens that have entered the wound and the condition immune system affected development time inflammatory reaction varies from 8 to 24 hours.
- Psychological trauma. Attack aggressive dog especially dangerous for children, pregnant women and the elderly. Weak children, old people and women are not able to actively fight back the animal, so there is a high risk of serious injury. In addition, bites threaten consequences in the form of shock in the child and the threat of termination of pregnancy in the expectant mother. A bite from an elderly person can result in a heart attack, requiring immediate attention.
Symptoms: local and general reaction to the bite
IN best case scenario, if the dog is not very large and the bite fell on a part of the body covered by thick clothing, you can only get away with hematomas from the compression of soft tissues by the teeth without damaging the skin. Even a weak dog bite is quite painful; with severe injuries, the pain is very pronounced.
Puncture wound - punctures of the skin with minor bleeding which is easy to stop. After the bleeding stops, the wound may ooze, edema (swelling) and redness occur around the punctures, and a rash in the form of small pimples, the skin may itch or, conversely, become insensitive (numbness). These signs indicate that the bite is quite deep and an inflammatory reaction is developing. ABOUT purulent process may indicate increased pain, swelling, discharge from the wound with characteristic odor, and these symptoms appear several hours after the bite. Nearby lymph nodes enlarge and join general weakness, fever.
A dog can inflict it with its teeth puncture wounds and abrasions - such injuries, in the absence of infection, are easier to treat than lacerations Lacerations are accompanied heavy bleeding, pain, severe weakness and malaise, possible pain shock. The likelihood of infection with such injuries is much higher.
Tissue damage from bites large dogs can be very significant If the bitten dog had rabies, the first signs of infection in a person can be detected within a week after the attack. Time initial manifestations The disease is associated with the location of the bite, the depth and extent of the injury. The closer the damage is to the head (brain), the sooner symptoms will appear.
The first period of the disease is short - only 1-2 days, it manifests itself as follows:
- pain occurs again in the area of the healed bite;
- body temperature may increase;
- bothered by headache and severe weakness;
- the infected person becomes irritable, depressed, loses appetite, and develops causeless anxiety, fear, melancholy, sleep disturbance.
Further development diseases leads to irreversible damage work of the most important centers (respiratory and vasomotor) and the patient dies.
The worst consequence of a dog bite is infection. fatal disease rabies Prodromal phenomena characteristic of rabies are similar to the first signs no less dangerous disease- tetanus. Incubation period This severe infectious disease lasts from a week to a month. The patient develops dull nagging pain At the site of injury, surrounding muscles may tense and twitch. During this period, the patient may complain of weakness, headache, sweating, loss of appetite. Then the symptoms characteristic of the disease appear - tension and cramps of the chewing and facial muscles (trismus and “sardonic smile”), painful difficulty swallowing, strong tension muscles of the back of the head. Further development of the infection is manifested by tetanic (generalized) convulsions - strong involuntary contractions skeletal muscles, while the patient feels excruciating pain. In the worst cases, tetanus can lead to muscle tears, compression fractures spine, asphyxia and cardiac arrest.
What to do in case of a bite wound
If the bite does not produce blood, and the dog simply squeezed the soft tissue tightly with its teeth, it is enough to wash off the saliva that has got on the skin with a stream of water and soap, disinfect the area with any available antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, alcohol) and apply cold.
With any bite that draws blood, even if a pet that has received vaccinations has shown aggression, you must contact the nearest medical facility - emergency room, clinic, hospital. Extensive lacerations, especially in the head area, require first aid and immediate calling an ambulance. Timely treatment and prevention of rabies and tetanus can save the victim’s life.
First aid
Before a bitten person is sent to the hospital or an ambulance arrives, certain manipulations must be carried out. Algorithm of actions:
- Rinse the wound thoroughly. To do this, you need a stream of water and soap. The best option- laundry soap (the rabies virus dies in an alkaline environment) or liquid soap, detergent(Not washing powder!), which is needed in large quantities dissolve in cool boiled water. If you don't have one, you can use clean bottled or tap water. The liquid should not be too warm, so as not to provoke even more bleeding, and very cold, so as not to cause a sharp vascular spasm.
After a bite, the wound must be washed with water and soap, preferably household soap. - If the bleeding is not too massive and large parts are not damaged great vessels, you need to allow blood to flow freely from the wound so that impurities are washed out along with it.
- Treating the bite. The wound (cavity) itself can be disinfected with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, the edges of the damage must be treated with any available antiseptic: an iodine-containing preparation (5% iodine solution, Betadine), 70% ethyl alcohol, Miramistin, Chlorhexidine.
After washing with soapy water, the bite wound should be washed with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. - Apply a bandage to the wound, preferably sterile: bandage, napkin, gauze. If there is no sterile material or bandages, you can apply a clean cotton cloth and bandage it loosely.
After treating the wound, it is necessary to apply a bandage to it, preferably a sterile one. - Severe bleeding should be stopped by applying a tourniquet or bending the affected limb as much as possible. Elevating the injured arm or leg will also help.
The wound must not be cauterized, any ointments applied, tightly bandaged, napkins, bandages, etc. placed in the cavity.
Further treatment
Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient is treated for bites:
- scratches, abrasions, small puncture wounds are treated with an antiseptic and a sterile bandage is applied;
- deep lacerations are subject to PSO (primary surgical treatment):
- under local or general anesthesia removed from the wound foreign objects, blood clots, dead tissue;
- treat the cavity with antiseptic solutions.
To prevent secondary infection, sutures are not applied to bite wounds. Suturing large vessels in case of massive bleeding or torn tissue in very extensive damage. In this case, primary sutures are applied with a drainage-washing system, secondary sutures are applied, or skin grafting is performed. The latter is indicated for elimination cosmetic defects- if the bites occurred on the soft tissues of the face.
Small bite wounds are treated with antiseptics and no stitches are applied. According to indications, diagnostic measures can be carried out:
- taking swabs for bacteriological research material;
- blood sampling to identify infectious agents;
- ultrasonic or x-ray examination if there is a suspicion of presence deep in the wound foreign body or injury to bones and joints.
After the measures taken, the patient may be sent home or offered hospitalization. Indications for inpatient treatment are the following states:
- extensive deep damage;
- signs of wound infection (fever, swelling and redness of surrounding tissues, purulent discharge);
- infection with dangerous pathogens;
- immunodeficiency state of the patient.
Along with local treatment, the patient is given systemic therapy, including antibiotics - for dog bites, Amoxiclav or Augmentin, Ceftriaxone or Ciprofloxacin, Lincomycin are prescribed. Antibiotic therapy lasts 7 days.
The decision to use is decided by the doctor on an individual basis; Usually, for dog bites, penicillin or cephalosporin drugs are prescribed If treatment is carried out in a hospital, the victim is prescribed intravenous drip administration physiological or 5% glucose solution. At large blood loss- blood substitutes.
At home for prevention purulent inflammation You can use rinsing with a 1% Dioxidine solution and apply syntomycin emulsion to the wound. Change the dressing as needed.
Video - what to do if bitten by a dog
Preventive vaccination
After an attack or dog bite, the victim must undergo anti-rabies vaccination and administration antitetanus serum. Anti-rabies vaccination is not given if the aggressor is a domestic dog vaccinated against rabies, and the owner has documentary evidence of this fact.
A patient bitten by a stray or unvaccinated domestic dog can be given rabies immunoglobulin (before using the vaccine), if no more than 72 hours have passed since the attack. Immunoglobulin, which is ready-made antibodies that neutralize the virus, is injected around the wound and into its depth. This method is used if the damage occurs in the neck, face, head, genitals, or in case of very deep wounds regardless of location, and also in the case when the saliva of the attacking dog gets on the mucous membranes, for example, in the eye or mouth.
Rabies vaccine (a weakened virus that stimulates the production of antibodies to the pathogen) is injected intramuscularly into the shoulder. The course consists of only 6 procedures according to the scheme: after the first injection 2 days should pass, after the second - 3 days, next vaccination done on the 14th day after the first injection, then on the 30th and 90th day.
The course of vaccinations against rabies consists of 6 injections according to a specific scheme The number of injections depends on the information about the bitten dog. It is recommended to monitor the animal that attacked for 10 days. If during this time the dog does not become ill with rabies, the victim receives only 3 injections of the rabies vaccine. In the event of the death of an animal or the impossibility of obtaining data about it, a full course of vaccinations is carried out. The victim must undergo treatment regardless of the time of treatment, even if several months have passed since the incident.
There may be adverse reactions to the vaccine:
- fever;
- headache;
- swelling of the cervical and axillary lymph nodes;
- locally - pain, swelling and redness at the injection site.
After administration of immunoglobulin, complications are possible:
- development of a local allergic reaction (after 1–2 days);
- anaphylactic shock;
- serum sickness (a week after the injection).
Therefore, the sites for vaccination and immunoglobulin administration should be equipped with anti-shock measures, and the patient after injections should be observed by medical staff for 30 minutes.
During the course of treatment and six months later, you should not use alcoholic drinks, overheating and hypothermia, performing hard physical work.
Video - how to protect yourself from rabies
Traditional methods of treating bites
Alternative treatment cannot replace a visit to the doctor. Apply folk recipes only possible as an addition to traditional methods therapy dog bites.
Traditional healers offer different options treatment of bite wounds: local compresses, taking herbal infusions and decoctions inside. In any case, the wound must first be thoroughly washed with soap. Then you can make lotions or compresses using:
- saline solution (1 large spoon per liter of boiled water);
- diluted 1:1 alcohol tincture propolis;
- fresh aloe juice;
- a mixture of garlic, onion and salt (1 tablespoon each of grated onion and garlic with the addition of a teaspoon of salt);
- onion gruel with honey (1 chopped onion mixed with a tablespoon of honey);
- fresh nettle, crushed to a homogeneous pulp with the addition of salt;
- mashed leaves of meadowsweet (shelomaynik) or plantain;
- dry herb powder;
- herbal infusion:
- 1 tbsp. mix a spoonful of St. John's wort with 2 tbsp. spoons of yarrow, pour boiling water (300 ml), let brew for 2-3 hours; strain and apply gauze pads soaked in the product to the wound;
- infusion of eucalyptus or calendula flowers (20 g of dry raw materials per 300 ml of boiling water).
These products can only be used for minor puncture injuries. If you have lacerated wounds, you should definitely go to the hospital.
You can take decoctions and infusions of herbs with wound-healing and bactericidal effects internally.
Clove infusion:
- Steam dry clove buds (10–15 pieces) in a glass of boiling water.
- Leave for 1.5–2 hours, strain.
- Take 1 large spoon three times a day before meals.
Infusion of sweet clover herb:
- For a glass of boiling water you need to take 1 teaspoon of the plant and leave for 6 hours.
- Drink a tablespoon of medicine 3 times a day before meals.
Immortelle infusion:
- Pour boiling water (250 ml) over 10 g of dry raw material and leave for an hour.
- Take 1 large spoon three times a day half an hour before meals.
Photo gallery - unconventional treatment of wounds from dog bites
Immortelle is used to treat dog bites both externally and internally. 
Cloves have disinfectant and wound healing properties, so its infusion is used to treat dog bites 
Sweet clover is used as a wound healing agent 
Ground nettle leaves are applied to the bite site 
Onion-honey mixture is used to treat bites as an anti-inflammatory agent 
Fresh leaves plantain or juice from them is applied to bite wounds for healing 
Aloe juice has powerful anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties 
Calendula is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, so it is used to treat wounds, including bites.
Food for the victim
There is no need to follow a special diet after a dog bite. Nutrition should be complete, rich in vitamins and minerals in order to accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues. You need to consume foods with high content vitamins B, C, A, E, K and D.
In the first days after strong bites, given the possibility of developing an inflammatory reaction, acidosis and edema in the area of injury, it is advisable to eat alkalizing foods (vegetables and fruits) and somewhat limit salt in the diet.
- protein sources:
- veal, turkey, chicken, dairy and fermented milk products;
- correct carbohydrates:
- fresh fruits, vegetables (including legumes and leafy ones), berries, whole grain bread, cereals; To improve metabolic processes and speed up healing, you need to drink sufficient quantity fluids - at least 2 liters per day, including natural juices, rosehip decoction, dried fruit infusion. You should exclude alcohol from your diet, minimize the consumption of animal fats, smoked meats, fast food, confectionery, products with food additives, dyes and capable of causing allergic reaction. Healthy balanced diet will help damaged tissues recover faster.
- respect her personal space: the place where she sleeps and eats, puts her toys - it is very important to teach this to the youngest members of the family;
- do not tease or irritate the dog when it eats;
- do not allow children to play too actively with the pet, especially alone - the dog may bite accidentally, carried away by the game;
- do not try to take puppies away from a nursing bitch;
- do not separate dogs if your pet is attacked by another animal during a walk;
- limit the contact of strangers with your dog - while protecting the owners and territory, even the most peaceful dog can behave inappropriately.
- you need to avoid packs of dogs or lonely aggressive dogs, and try your best to avoid contact with such animals;
- if it was not possible to get away from the dog, you must not run away, look the animal in the eyes, or show fear;
- you should not attack first, you should try to slowly leave the territory that the dog most likely considers his own and protects;
- if the animal is preparing to attack, you can try to stop it with a loud shout, a handful of sand or earth thrown into the eyes, or improvised means (bag, umbrella, stick, stone) - the dog should see something in the person’s hands;
- For lovers of cycling or jogging, it is advisable to acquire a stun gun or an ultrasonic animal repeller.
How to avoid
Not only a stray dog can attack a person. AND pet, if provoked, can cause serious harm. To prevent a domestic dog from biting you, you must:
In addition, the pet must be vaccinated, trained and educated in a timely manner. Wanting to raise a dog reliable security guard, some owners encourage her tendency towards aggression. If there are no special training skills service dogs, you can sooner or later pay for such unreasonable upbringing with your own health. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for dogs to severely bite their owners or small children living in the family.
Encouraging aggressive behavior your pet, the owner risks being bitten himself To avoid being attacked by a yard dog:
Video - Dr. Komarovsky details about dog bites
The dogs are ours four-legged friends. Loving animals is wonderful. However, we should not forget that even a domestic dog is an animal, and its behavior is sometimes unpredictable. By following the rules of behavior with pets and street mongrels, you can avoid bites and their consequences in the form of severe infectious diseases.
