Overview
Dog bite injuries are, unfortunately, fairly common. It can often come out of the blue and may leave both you and your dog a little shaken. Dog bite wounds are often more serious than they may appear at first. They have sharp teeth that can puncture deep under the skin, leading to extensive tissue damage. Mouths are also full of bacteria, which are then introduced under the skin, leading to infection.
Bite wounds are most common around the head, neck and legs. If the bite penetrates any body cavities (the chest or the abdomen), this can be life-threatening. Your dog will need emergency treatment.
Risk
It’s possible that younger dogs or dogs that haven’t been socialised well are at an increased risk of getting bitten. They may not be able to read the warning signs from other dogs.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a dog bite injury can vary, depending on how severe and where the bite is. Signs may include:
A wound - often puncture wounds, but may be worse, such as a tear or laceration
Bleeding and swelling of the affected area
Lethargy
Reduced appetite
Limping
Diagnosis
Most bite wounds are diagnosed on a physical examination. If the bite injury is old and infected, your vet may need to take swabs to determine the type of infection.
Blood and urine tests may be needed in some cases.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity and location of the bite. It may involve:
Shaving the hair to see the full extent of the injury
Thorough cleaning of the wound
Debriding any damaged or dead tissue
Placing a drain to help remove excess fluid
Stitching the wound closed (mostly for larger wounds)
Antibiotic medication
Pain relief
Bite wounds left untreated can lead to the spread of bacteria. This might be localised (as an abscess) or spread all around the surrounding tissue, causing cellulitis.
What to expect
Most shallow wounds should heal quickly, within 5-7 days, with appropriate treatment and cleaning.
Larger wounds that need surgery or become severely infected may take up to a few weeks to heal. Most dogs will need a course of antibiotics, pain relief and a buster collar to prevent self-trauma.
Prevention
Bites are not always 100% preventable, but you can do the following to reduce the risks:
If your dog does not have a solid recall, it’s best to keep them on a lead.
Some owners with reactive dogs will use a colour coded lead or harness, make sure to acknowledge these and give them space. Do not allow your dog to approach another dog unless their owner has given permission for this.
Read up on dog body language and make sure your dog has at least basic obedience training.
Make sure to socialise your dog well when they are a puppy.