Is it possible to recognize a dog with rabies. Symptoms: local and general reaction to the bite

Dog bites are a fairly common occurrence. Despite the fact that a person has long tamed an animal and a dog is deservedly considered a friend of a person, the probability of being bitten always remains. Due to certain circumstances, even a domestic dog can attack, and stray ones even more so. Therefore, each person should know what to do in such cases and what assistance to provide to the victim, since quite often bites can have serious consequences.

How dangerous is a dog bite?

In addition to being traumatic, a dog bite is also dangerous because it can lead to such a disease as rabies. It is dangerous because there is a huge risk lethal outcome. The rabies virus is transmitted from dogs to humans through saliva that enters an open wound. Therefore, it is important to take appropriate measures in a timely manner in order to avoid severe consequences and minimize the risk of infection.

In addition, it is necessary to distinguish between the severity of bites. They are:

punctured, characterized by damage skin, wherein soft tissues remain whole;
torn, in which the epidermis is damaged, as well as muscle and connective tissues. Such wounds require immediate medical attention, such as suturing.

But no matter what kind of wound was formed after a dog bite, you need to see a doctor.

And so, rabies is a disease, the virus of which, getting into the human body, quickly penetrates into nerve cells, and after and before the brain. Then appear, which indicate the development of pathology:

convulsions;
hallucinations;
increased salivation;
fear of water and photophobia.

In the absence of proper medical care, respiratory paralysis develops. It should also be noted that if the disease has already been discovered, then it is almost impossible to save a person, treatment in this case only alleviates the condition, does not save life.

In addition, from a dog bite, you can become infected with sepsis, tetanus and a number of other infectious diseases.

After receiving deep lacerations, there is also a risk of large blood loss, getting psychological trauma, state of shock.

First aid

When helping a victim of a dog bite, first of all, you need to understand what kind of animal attacked: domestic or stray, besides, it would be good to watch him in the next few days. Now for the victim himself. When open wound and bleeding from it, then it is necessary to give time for the saliva of the animal to come out along with the blood, since it may contain pathogenic microorganisms and infectious bacteria. Then you need to wash the wound with warm soapy water (should be used laundry soap or hydrogen peroxide), and then treat with an antiseptic. The skin around the bite should be treated with hydrogen peroxide or brilliant green, if there is nothing at hand, then alcohol will do. After that, put on the wound gauze bandage. To relieve pain and prevent shock, you can take analgesics and sedatives. If the wounds are serious enough and there is a possibility of bone damage, then the injured area must be immobilized and fixed.

After rendering first aid, the victim must be taken to the hospital, and if the wounds are numerous and serious enough, then ambulance call immediately.

In the hospital, the wound is treated and, if necessary, sutured.

After a dog bite, the victim is prescribed special injections for rabies, which are given on certain days and their number is six injections, which are absolutely safe and have no contraindications.

If a dog has bitten a child

Children are more likely than adults to be attacked by dogs. There are many reasons for this, but the most important thing, after the fait accompli, is the timely and right help. The absence of panic (which is very difficult to expect from adults whose children have suffered) helps to avoid serious complications, and in some cases, save the child's life. Therefore, it is very important to remain calm and right action perform a first aid.

First of all, the wound is examined and its severity is determined, lacerations in the head and neck area are especially dangerous, where there is a real threat of bleeding and closed fractures. Therefore, the child should be assisted and delivered to the clinic.

First aid includes:

washing the wound aqueous solution from laundry soap;
antiseptic treatment of the injury site;
treatment of the skin around with iodine;
applying a sterile dressing.

If the wound is not too serious, then after examination by a doctor and suturing (if necessary), it is recommended to apply antiseptic ointments to its surface. You can use Levomekol or Betadine.

If necessary, if there is a risk of infection in the child's body, he is also prescribed a special vaccine. In this case, you should not be afraid, it is easier to get several injections of serum than to deal with serious ailments, which in most cases medicine cannot cope with, especially since modern science I took a good step forward and now instead of forty injections, six is quite enough.

In addition to the introduction of a vaccine, a course of antibiotics may also be prescribed, it is necessary if there is a real threat of infection.

Children who have been bitten by a dog may also develop psychological problems, such as panic fear of animals, stuttering, sleep disturbance and other symptoms. In this case, a large role is assigned to parents, who must return the emotional balance to the baby, and if they can’t cope on their own, you need to contact a specialist.

First of all, of course, fights are best avoided altogether. Be courageous - lead your beloved and adored friend on a leash. Even if it is the size of a cat. Even if "it never bites anyone." Bite - a dog is a dog! And after that, it doesn’t matter if she protects you from “enemies” or she just didn’t like someone’s new collar with rhinestones. So drive a dog on a leash, aggressive - be sure to wear a muzzle. Please respect yourself and others!

If the dogs still got into a fight, you need to act quickly, sensibly and coolly. Yelling loudly and kicking dogs is useless - it will only provoke them, and you will lose precious time. It is highly discouraged to separate rivals by the collars and pull by the ears - in this case, there is every chance of being bitten by your own dog! Your adorable dog in the heat of the fight simply does not have time to make out where your hands are and where the opponent's neck is. You can try to pull small fighters by their tails or by their hind legs. If your lap dog is being held by the neck by a neighbor's pit bull, or the dogs are large enough, you need to try (preferably with the help of a neighbor-owner) to unclench the teeth of a stronger opponent with a stick. By the way, often the “peacekeepers” themselves start a verbal skirmish, and even a fight. This is not an option! You will find out the relationship after - and it is better not to become like dogs.

Suppose you are already at home. Calm yourself down and take a look around. As a rule, if the fighters were about the same size, everything is limited to bite wounds. Most often this is the area of the neck, shoulder blades and the root of the tail. The hair around the wounds must be cut (or shaved)! There is no point in watering the wool with hydrogen peroxide (or any other miraculous remedy): if fangs got under the skin (that is, it was bitten), microbes would inevitably get there. And then you don’t have to tell the doctor when you bring your dog with an abscess (purulent inflammation of the subcutaneous layer) that you have treated the wound.

After cutting, the wounds must be washed. To do this, you can use chlorhexidine or miramistin (by the way, they are available in convenient syringe bottles), but “potassium permanganate” is also suitable. The solution is injected from a syringe without a needle (or from the aforementioned syringe) directly into the subcutaneous "pocket" through the holes-wounds. They look like "holes". The dog has four fangs, so you need to look for “paired” holes - from upper canines and from the bottom. All wounds must be treated. Further, such treatments are repeated daily until the wounds are completely healed from the inside. Usually, starting from the third day, anti-inflammatory and wound healing ointments(for example, "Solcoseryl" or "Levomekol"). Once again, wounds must heal from within.

Superficial injuries (abrasions) are treated with green paint or iodine. You can use sprays ("Terramycin", "Alu-spray"). The dog should not “lick” the wound! To protect damaged areas, a “Catherine” collar is used - a plastic cone worn on the dog’s neck and preventing it from “self-medicating”, since your pet’s tongue is not sterile (there are more bacteria in the mouth than in the rectum).
In case of extensive gaping wounds, visible heavy bleeding or traumatic shock(shortness of breath, dilated pupils, howling, or, conversely, a state of prostration) is necessary immediate help specialist. You decide: you can call a doctor at home or go to the clinic. But you need to keep in mind that the countdown goes to hours, and sometimes minutes. It is better to keep the addresses and phone numbers of the veterinary services closest to you in the dog's documents so that, if necessary, assistance is provided as soon as possible. Veterinarian will carry out anti-shock therapy, treat wounds, if necessary, put stitches.

Dog - best friend person. With this statement, of course, most people agree. Indeed, the devotion of this animal has become a byword. However, despite its remarkable qualities, a dog can cause significant harm to a person - bite. Everyone should know what to do if a dog attacks, how to minimize the harm from meeting an aggressive animal, and how to treat the consequences of bites.

Why is a dog bite dangerous?

More than 150 thousand Russians apply for medical care after being attacked and bitten by dogs. Dozens of people are dying from rabies transmitted by dog bites. The number of cases of dog aggression is increasing in summer period, and people suffer more from pets than from the homeless. Most often, bites are received by adult men and children: babies of two to four years of age and adolescents of 10–14 years.

The worst thing is the bites of dogs of fighting and some service breeds: german shepherds, bull terriers, rottweilers, pit bulls, dobermans. The bite force of these animals is very high 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 (stab), when the integrity of the skin is slightly disturbed; such injuries in the absence of complications heal quite quickly;
- torn, when the bites are much deeper - soft tissues can be torn, and in some especially severe cases, joints, bones, and ligamentous apparatus are damaged.
Bite sites: in adults, the legs (ankles) and arms (hands and forearms) are most often affected, dogs can bite children on the neck, face, head. The most dangerous is the damage in the neck and head, deep wounds in these places can be fatal.
Dog health conditions - with the saliva of an aggressive animal, various bacteria and viruses enter the wound, among which the rabies virus is the worst.

The most dangerous dog bites in the neck, head and face

Rabies is a serious disease that is transmitted through the saliva of a sick animal. The disease is terrible with a 100% fatal outcome. You can become infected with the virus not only when saliva enters a bitten wound, but also in the case of salivation of damaged skin or mucous membranes.

It is worth knowing that the virus is contained in the secretions of the animal 8-10 days before visible symptoms illness. Therefore, with the bite of any dog, even seemingly healthy, it is necessary to contact medical institution.

The fact that the dog is sick can be determined by its appearance and behavior:

salivation, foaming from the mouth;
sagging of the lower jaw;
vomiting
periodic convulsions;
a hoarse, muffled bark.

It is likely that an aggressive dog with a drooping jaw has excessive salivation and develops seizures, sick with rabies

The dog is excited, aggressive, ready to attack, can gnaw the ground or objects that have fallen into its field of vision.

What is the likelihood of contracting rabies from a sick animal? It directly depends on which part of the body the bite fell on. If the area of the neck or facial tissue is damaged, then the possibility of getting sick is very high and amounts to 90%. With a bite 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 easily get into the wound. Tetanus is a disease whose prognosis is always disappointing.

In addition to the possibility of getting sick with tetanus or rabies, dog bites can carry the following consequences:

Significant blood loss if the wounds are very serious; large arteries may be torn or organs damaged, causing internal bleeding.
Wound infection - occurs in 15–20% of all bites; more often it is a local purulent-inflammatory process, in rare cases- systemic infection with the development of a formidable complication - sepsis. In the mouth of a dog, there are many different microorganisms that are pathogenic to humans. Once in the wound, microbes cause it to become infected. Depending on the type of pathogens that got into the wound and the condition immune system affected development time inflammatory response 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 give an active rebuff to the animal, therefore high risk serious damage. In addition, bites threaten consequences in the form of shock in the child and the threat of termination of pregnancy in future mother. A bite from an elderly person can result in a heart attack, requiring immediate attention.

Symptoms: local and general reaction to the bite

AT best case, if the dog is not very large and the bite fell on a part of the body covered with thick clothing, you can only get rid of hematomas from compression of soft tissues with teeth without damaging the skin. Even a weak bite of a dog is quite painful; with severe injuries, the pain is very pronounced.

Puncture wound - skin punctures with minor bleeding which is easy to stop. After the blood stops, the wound may ooze, edema (swelling) and redness occur around the punctures, a rash in the form 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. O purulent process may speak of increased pain, swelling, discharge from the wound with characteristic odor, and these symptoms appear a few hours after the bite. Nearby lymph nodes are enlarged, joins general weakness, fever.

A dog can inflict with its teeth stab wounds and abrasions - such injuries in the absence of infection are easier to treat than lacerations

The 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 was sick with rabies, then the first signs of infection in humans can be detected as early as a week after the attack. Time initial manifestations disease is associated with the site of the bite, the depth and extent of the injury. The closer the damage is to the head (brain), the sooner symptoms appear.

The first period of the disease is short - only 1-2 days, it manifests itself in this way:

in the area of \u200b\u200bhealed bite, soreness occurs again;
body temperature may rise;
worried about headache and severe weakness;
the infected person becomes irritable, depressed, loses appetite, develops causeless anxiety, fear, melancholy, disturbed sleep.

Further development disease leads to irreversible damage the work of the most important centers (respiratory and vasomotor) and the patient dies.

Most terrible consequence dog bite - infection deadly disease rabies

The prodromal phenomena characteristic of rabies are similar to the first signs of at least dangerous disease- tetanus. Incubation period this heavy infectious disease lasts from a week to a month. The patient has a dull nagging pain at the site of injury, the 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 join - tension and convulsions of the chewing and facial muscles (trismus and "sardonic smile"), painful difficulty in swallowing, strong tension neck muscles. The further development of the infection is manifested by tetanic (generalized) convulsions - the strongest involuntary contractions skeletal muscle while the patient feels excruciating pain. In the worst case, 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 is not up to blood, and the dog simply strongly clenched soft tissues 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 this place with any available antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, alcohol) and apply cold.

With any bite to the point of blood, even if the aggression was shown by a pet that received vaccinations, you must contact the nearest medical institution - emergency room, clinic, hospital. Extensive lacerations, especially in the head area, require first aid and an immediate call for an ambulance. Early treatment and prevention of rabies and tetanus can save the victim's life.

First aid

Before sending a bitten person to the hospital or the arrival of an ambulance, certain manipulations must be carried out. Action algorithm:

Wash 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 in large numbers dissolve in cold boiled water. If this is not available, 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 soap and water, preferably household
If the bleeding is not too massive and large main vessels, you need to allow the blood to flow freely from the wound so that impurities are washed out with it.
Bite treatment. The wound itself (cavity) can be disinfected with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, 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 soapy water the bitten 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 treatment of the wound, it is necessary to apply a bandage to it, preferably sterile
Severe bleeding should be stopped with a tourniquet or maximum flexion of the affected limb. Elevated position of the injured arm or leg will also help.

The wound should not be cauterized, any ointments should be applied, bandaged tightly, napkins, bandages, etc. should be 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 PST (primary surgical treatment):
- under local or general anesthesia removed from the wound foreign objects, blood clots, dead tissue;
- process the cavity antiseptic solutions.

To prevent secondary infection, sutures are not applied to bitten wounds. Sutured large vessels in case of massive bleeding or torn tissues with very extensive injuries. At the same time, primary sutures are applied with a drainage-flushing system, secondary sutures are applied, or skin plastic surgery is performed. The latter is indicated for elimination cosmetic defects- if the bites fell on the soft tissues of the face.

Bitten wounds of small size are treated with antiseptics and stitches are not 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 it is suspected to be present deep in the wound foreign body or injury to bones and joints.

After the measures taken, the patient may be allowed to go 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;
patient's immunocompromised state.

Along with local treatment, the patient is given systemic therapy that includes antibiotics dog bites prescribe Amoxiclav or Augmentin, Ceftriaxone or Ciprofloxacin, Lincomycin. Antibiotic therapy continues for 7 days.

The decision to use is decided by the doctor on an individual basis; dog bites are usually treated with penicillins or cephalosporins

If treatment is carried out in a hospital, the victim is prescribed intravenous drip introduction physiological or 5% glucose solution. At big blood loss- blood substitutes.

At home for prevention purulent inflammation you can apply washing with a 1% solution of Dioxidine, apply a synthomycin emulsion to the wound. Change the bandage as needed.

Video - what to do if bitten by a dog

Preventive vaccination

After the attack and bites of the dog, the victim must undergo anti-rabies (against rabies) vaccination and administration tetanus toxoid. Rabies vaccination is not done if the aggressor - domestic dog, vaccinated against rabies, while the owner has documented evidence of this fact.

A patient bitten by a stray or unvaccinated domestic dog may be given rabies immunoglobulin (before the vaccine is given) 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 occurred on the neck, face, head, genitals, or in case of very deep wounds regardless of location, as well as in the case when the saliva of the attacking dog got on the mucous membranes, for example, in the eye or mouth.

The rabies vaccine (a weakened virus that stimulates the production of antibodies to the pathogen) is injected intramuscularly into the upper arm. 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 do on the 14th day after the first injection, then on the 30th and 90th day.

The course of vaccination against rabies consists of 6 injections according to a certain 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 has 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 on it, a full course vaccination. The victim should be treated regardless of the time of treatment, even if several months have passed since the incident.

There may be side reactions to the vaccine:

fever;
headache;
swelling of the cervical and axillary lymph nodes;
locally - soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site.

After the introduction of immunoglobulin, complications are possible:

development of a local allergic reaction (after 1–2 days);
anaphylactic shock;
serum sickness (one week after the injection).

Therefore, the places of vaccination and administration of immunoglobulin should be equipped with means for anti-shock measures, and the medical staff will observe the patient for 30 minutes after injections.

During the course of treatment and six months later, you can not use alcoholic drinks, overheat and hypothermia, perform heavy physical work.

Video - how to protect yourself from rabies

Alternative methods of treating bites

Non-traditional treatment cannot replace a visit to the doctor. Apply folk recipes possible only as an addition to traditional methods dog bite therapy.

Traditional healers offer different variants treatment of bitten wounds: local compresses, reception herbal infusions and decoctions inside. In any case, the wound must first be thoroughly washed with soap. Then you can make lotions or compresses, for which they use:

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 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 gruel with the addition of salt;
crushed leaves of the meadowsweet (shelomaynik) or plantain;
dry herb powder;
herbal infusion:
- 1 st. St. John's wort mixed with 2 tbsp. spoons of yarrow, pour boiling water (300 ml), let it 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 remedies can only be used for minor puncture injuries. So lacerations you must go to the hospital.

Inside, you can take decoctions and infusions of herbs with wound healing and bactericidal action.

Infusion of cloves:

Dry cloves (10-15 pieces) are steamed in a glass of boiling water.
Insist 1.5-2 hours, strain.
Take 1 large spoon three times a day before meals.

Sweet clover herb infusion:

In a glass of boiling water, you need to take 1 teaspoon of the plant, insist for 6 hours.
Drink the medicine in a tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.

Immortelle tincture:

Pour 10 g of dry raw materials with boiling water (250 ml), insist for an hour.
Take 1 large spoon three times a day half an hour before meals.

Photo gallery - non-traditional treatment of dog bite wounds

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 Grinded nettle leaves are applied to the site of bites.
Onion-honey mixture is used to treat bites as an anti-inflammatory agent. fresh leaves plantain or juice from them is applied to bitten 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.

Nutrition of 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 high content vitamins of groups 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 sour-milk products;
correct carbs:
- fresh fruits, vegetables (including legumes and leafy), berries, whole grain bread, cereals;

Like this beautiful doggy at Akan 🙂

Hello friends, I recently received a letter from my regular viewer and reader, his name is Akan. He asked me to tell you how to treat a wound to a dog, the nearest veterinarian is more than 160 km away, so he cannot show the dog to the doctor.

Of course, you should not engage in self-medication, if you have the opportunity to deliver the animal to the clinic, then it is better to do this, but there are hopeless situations when you have to act on your own.

In this article I will try to tell you how you can treat a wound in a dog so as not to harm at least, to help as much as possible.

So, a large alabai attacked the dog Akan and made several wounds on the head, the wounds festered. These photos clearly show the damage.

Wounds on the head after bites

Wound treatment

In such cases, you need to cut the hair around the bites, especially if it is thick and long. If this is not done, then the discharge from the wound will collect in large icicles, and dermatitis will appear on the skin under them, which will add problems.

Trimming the fur around the wound

The wound should then be washed with 3% hydrogen peroxide. To do this, it is more convenient to use a regular disposable syringe without a needle, which must be inserted into the wound and washed out with pus.

Be prepared for the fact that a lot of foam is formed and the dog may be hurt. But such an unpleasant procedure must be done. Peroxide removes pus well and does not act too aggressively on living tissues.

Remove everything that was washed from the wound with clean gauze, the edges of the wound can be slightly squeezed for better cleansing.

Syringe with plunger removed

After that, enter Levomekol ointment into the wound, again using a syringe without a needle. To quickly and conveniently draw the ointment into the syringe, you need to remove the piston, squeeze out Levomekol into the syringe and return the piston to its place.

How often should a wound be treated? Start with twice a day and then work your way up. If the discharge becomes less, then it will be possible to rinse with peroxide once a day, and administer the ointment twice - in the morning and in the evening.

What Not to Do

It is impossible to fill the wound with alcohol, vodka, brilliant green, iodine and other substances containing alcohol. I know from experience that many people use alcohol to disinfect a wound, but such treatment will not kill all microbes, but there will be tissue burns. As a result, healing will slow down and you will get a big scar.

Can't be stitched tight festering wound, pus must go somewhere and he will find his way in any case. If the injury occurred a long time ago, then without prior surgical treatment It's better not to sew at all.

You do not need to let the dog lick the wound, especially if she has, which is common. Indeed, many people use similar method treatment - let the dog lick the ulcer or cut, but this method is not always safe.

Danger signs

Be sure to monitor the general condition of the dog during treatment. If you notice that there is thirst, depression, convulsions, involuntary twitching of the limbs, then in any case you need to get to the doctor. Or prescribe antibiotics at your own risk a wide range actions.

Also danger signs: appearance putrid smell, severe swelling around the wound.

It is important to remember that when bitten, a dog can become infected with a virus, which is also dangerous for your life. Therefore, if your dog is not vaccinated, it must be vaccinated within 36 hours after the bite, no later.

Conclusion

Friends, it is clear what I described general principles how you can treat a wound to a dog and in each case there may be nuances. For example, if there is bleeding, then the first step is to eliminate it. If the wound is not deep, then you can trim the hair around and get by with powder with idoform, or its analogue.

In more severe cases, it is necessary to surgically expand the wound, remove pockets, apply novocaine blockades, put drainage, but without experience, such methods of treatment are dangerous, so I did not mention them.

What surprises await your dog on a walk? It is possible that an unwanted meeting with a neighbor's dog will end in a fight. A cat can be bitten by bullies in the country. The results of fights - biting wounds in a dog or cat are not as harmless as it might seem at first glance.

Bite wounds always have crushed tissues, their separation, damage to blood vessels and stab wounds from the teeth.

Small wounds - traces of fangs often go unnoticed. Or the owner does not give them of great importance. But one treatment of such a wound with iodine will not help. AT oral cavity animal is great amount microorganisms that, getting into the wound, begin their pathogenic effect. Wounds are dangerous because with poor treatment, the skin defect closes with a crust (often the crust is a mixture of sticky wool and ichor). And exudate accumulates under the skin, which after a while will be purulent. 3-5 days after the bite, the dog becomes lethargic, the temperature may rise, the bite site is painful and hot.

Wounds with profuse bleeding, in the abdominal and chest cavity require urgent appeal to the vet. It happens that the damage to the skin in the chest area is insignificant, and under the skin, as a result of a bite, the muscles are torn and there is an entrance to pleural cavity. Such wounds are life-threatening. Help must be provided as soon as possible.

At large area damage required antishock therapy- drip injection of solutions and the introduction of cardiac drugs.

With biting wounds of the limbs, the dog may not step on the paw, and only an x-ray will help to find out why: because of pain in the wound or because of a fracture.

Cat wounds, bites and scratches are most often localized in the head area. Inconspicuous at first glance, scratches of the cheek area during untimely processing can lead to serious complication- subcutaneous phlegmon. And untreated wounds of the ear area lead to otitis media, due to the fact that the wound discharge flows into the ear canal.

How to treat a wound in an animal?

Before visiting the doctor, you can give your pet first aid. Gently cut the hair around the wound, wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine, apply a clean cloth to the wound and bandage it. At profuse bleeding apply a tourniquet on the limbs above the wound or simply press the wound firmly through a napkin (or a clean handkerchief) with your fingers.

Various wounds - different approach

Before deciding how best to treat the wound, the doctor shaves off the hair around, thoroughly rinses the wound and subcutaneous pockets with antiseptic solutions. Fresh wounds (up to 8 hours) can be sutured (provided there are no large subcutaneous pockets). In the case of correct and good processing and provided good care, fresh wounds heal in 7-10 days. If you applied a day or later after the bite, then after standard treatment, you may need to excise dead tissue, install drainage (gauze or tubular). Drainage you can change and rinse yourself at home. A course of antibiotics must be prescribed and, if required, general state dogs and vitamins. Wounds with complications that are not treated on time heal longer, the healing process can take 2-4 weeks.

Caring for a bitten dog

The wound was treated by a doctor, now the most important thing is up to you - proper care pledge quick recovery and healing. The first thing your pet will try to do at home is to rip off the bandage and lick the wound. It is important to prevent this, especially if the wound is stitched. The second time the stitches will not be applied, the wound will heal for a long time. Get a protective collar, watch your pet so that he does not get to the sore spot. The first treatment of the wound can be done at the vet, or it can be done by you. At the first appointment, ask the doctor in detail how to treat the wound, write everything down (or the doctor will write everything down for you in detail). At home, you need to treat the wound together. The assistant will fix the animal, and you will handle it. No need to be nervous, you will succeed. Try to act quickly, accurately and accurately. Prepare everything in advance so as not to be distracted during processing. Place open bottles of solutions away from the animal. If the dog or cat jerks violently, the vials may fall and break.