HEALTH
Oh No! My Dog Got Bit by Another Dog! What Should I Do?
Watching your dog get bitten by another dog can be horrifying. Learn how to keep dogs from fighting and ensure your dog’s immediate safety in case of a dog bite.
Table of contents
Maybe two pet dogs in the same house had a disagreement, or your dog got into a fight with the neighbour's dog, it could also be a bite from a community dog during your daily walk. Dog bites are very common and as a pet parent, it is important to know how to prevent dogs from fighting as well as the correct measures to take in case your dog is bitten by another dog.
How to Keep Dogs from Fighting to Prevent Dog Bites
The key to preventing dog bites is to make sure that your dog is always leashed in a public setting and that they are respectful of other dogs’ boundaries. It is also important to ensure that your dog is vaccinated annually. Not only is this mandated by the law, but this also protects your dog from Rabies. Additionally, your dog can get into a lot of trouble if their vaccinations are not up to date and they happen to bite another dog or a human. Here are some preventative measures you can take to protect your dog:
- If your dog gets threatened by a community dog when you are out on a walk, ensure that both you and your dog maintain a calm body language and walk out of that territory confidently. Most of the time, the dogs tend to settle down as they see you exit their territory.
- If the community dogs in your area seem especially aggressive, carry a stick or a bottle of water with you. Sometimes, even the act of picking up a stone or waving a stick around can persuade them to take a step back. The goal is to not injure or hurt them but to get them to back away.
- If your dog visits a dog park or interacts off-leash with other dogs often, always supervise these interactions. Keeping a watchful eye will help you de-escalate the situation and take your dog away if a round of play gets too rough, too quickly.
- In case your dog gets into a dog fight, do NOT attempt to separate the dogs physically yourself. Distract them by making a sudden, loud noise like honking a vehicle or emptying a bucket of water on them. You can also use a long stick or any other object at your disposal to distance them from each other. As they step back, you can throw a jacket or coat over their eyes to further de-escalate the situation.
Always have your dog on a leash in a public setting.
What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bitten?
- While it can be quite shocking to watch your dog get bitten by another dog, the key here is to not panic. Get your dog to a safe location and assess the situation.
- Take your dog to the vet immediately if:
- The wound continues to bleed even after 5 minutes of applying pressure
- Your dog is unable to stand or unconscious
- Your dog is breathing abnormally
- You notice any fractures or injury to the eyes
- Your dog seems normal with either a few wounds or not too much blood, inform your vet immediately and make an appointment as soon as possible.
How is a Dog bite treated?
- Your vet will assess the wound at the clinic and do the needful. If the bite is too deep, the wound may need to be flushed thoroughly. This may require your dog to be sedated.
- Your veterinarian may also recommend X-rays or ultrasounds if they feel the need for it.
- Once the wound is managed, your veterinarian will ask you questions about the dog that bit your dog as well as your dog's vaccines so keep them handy.
- If your dog has been recently vaccinated and the dog that bit him/her is also vaccinated, they may not need any post-bite rabies vaccines.
- In case your dog is not recently vaccinated and or the vaccination status of the dog that bit yours is questionable, the vet will recommend 5 post-bite vaccines on days 0-3-7-14-28. Make sure you vaccinate your dogs timely and do not miss the recommended dates.
- Your vet may also recommend a tetanus shot if they feel it is required.
- Apart from this, your dog may be put on a course of antibiotics (to prevent the bite from getting infected), painkillers (to make sure your dog is comfortable) as well as any other medication or supplements they feel are necessary to manage the wounds.
Make sure your dog's vaccinations are always updated.
What to Do If You Do Not Have Access to Veterinary Care?
Dog bites that look mild can be very serious, therefore, it is best to have a vet examine the bite as soon as possible. If your vet is unable to see your dog within the next few hours, you can attempt to clean a minor wound by yourself. Here is how you can go about it:
- Clip the fur around the bite, if possible, to give you better access.
- Soak a cotton swab in diluted betadine (3-4 drops in 100 ml until it is light brown). Do not swap Betadine for Dettol, Savlon, soap or any other detergent.
- Once the wound is clean, make sure that it is dry.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Ensure your dog does not lick the wound or ointment. You can use an E-collar, if necessary.
- Keep in mind that your dog might be in pain and cleaning the bite can be painful. Attempt to do this yourself only if your dog is cooperating and you are sure they will not bite you.
As you can see, dog bites are no trivial matter. Not only can they put your dog’s life at risk due to the dangers of life-threatening diseases like rabies, but they can also cause severe trauma and behavioural issues in your dog. As it goes with most things in life, prevention is better than cure so make sure that your dog’s annual vaccinations are always up-to-date and that your dog is trained to be mindful of other dog’s boundaries and physical spaces.
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