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Dog bite wounds are a frequent type of injury in dogs, and they lead to many vet visits. It most commonly affects younger, socially active dogs, specifically those in multi-dog homes or who often interact with unfamiliar dogs. Bite wounds are also common in Livestock guardian dog breeds, such as Great Pyrenees or Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Because of how common it is and how life-threatening these wounds can be, it’s very important to recognize them and know when to take your dog to the vet.
Why Are Bite Wounds In Dogs Dangerous?
Dogs have powerful bites, and even the smallest of dog breeds can cause serious injuries. How serious an injury is depends on several factors, and the most important one is where the bite injury occurs. While all bite wounds have the potential to be fatal, there is a big difference between a bite wound on the neck and one on the paw.
Although dogs’ teeth are capable of crushing or tearing muscles and skin, they do not necessarily have to break the skin’s surface in every instance. But even if a bite doesn’t break the skin, it can still be bad, possibly bruising or crushing tissues. The most common places of bite injuries are the neck, head, and legs.
A dog’s mouth is full of bacteria, which can cause infection in some cases, especially if a dog already has a compromised immune system and the wound is left untreated. The infection can be localized, but it can easily spread throughout the body. This happens when we do nothing and the infection turns into a serious health issue.
Even if the bite wound doesn’t turn into infection, the location can be fatal. As mentioned, the neck and head are the most common places of bite wounds, and both areas are well-vascularized and innervated. That means that very important blood vessels and nerves are passing through, and they can be damaged, leaving potentially serious consequences.
A dog’s neck has two major blood vessels, the jugular vein and carotid artery, which can be injured by bites. Major nerves, the esophagus, and the trachea are also in this region.
When To Take a Dog To The Vet?
If your dog has been in a fight with another dog, it is highly recommended to take him to the vet. We might not even see all the injuries, especially if a dog has a double coat or a long coat. Of course, if you see open bite wounds, you have to take the dog to the vet as soon as possible. The sooner, the better. However, there are some cases when we must take the dog to the vet right away. These symptoms often include:
- A dog is having problems breathing
- We cannot stop the bleeding
- Dog whining and/or limping
- A dog is unable to stand properly or walk because of weakness
- Blue gums
- Collapse
If a dog has been in a fight with another animal (like a wild animal, farm animal, etc.), it’s very important to take the dog to the vet for a thorough examination. Wild animals can spread serious diseases, which we need to treat right away.
Bite Wounds First Aid
When a dog gets injured, we need to take some on-the-scene steps to ensure the best outcome for our beloved pet. These things mean:
- Applying pressure to bleeding wounds
- Restraining a dog (to prevent further injuries)
- Preventing a dog from licking the wound
- If the wound is dirty (mud, grass, sticks, etc.) clean it with lukewarm water
- Even if there is no bleeding, put a clean cloth or a sterile gauze on the wound
After you’re done with the first aid steps, take your dog to the vet. Without a veterinarian’s professional evaluation, we can’t determine the extent of the injuries.
What Happens After?
The veterinarian will explain how to take care of the injured dog. And we should follow instructions seriously for our pet’s sake. But here is a summary of what needs to be done after the bite wound treatment.
- If the vet left the wound to heal on its own (no sutures or bandage), we need to clean the wound regularly. Gently remove any dirt or debris using lukewarm water and a clean cloth or cotton balls.
- If the vet sutures the wound, they will most likely put an E-collar on the dog to prevent it from biting and licking the wound. We still have to check regularly to see if the sutures are in place and if the wound is clean.
- Use only cleaning products recommended by the vet or lukewarm water.
Don’t forget that your dog might feel uncomfortable or in pain, which means we need to be extra careful while cleaning the wound, taking the dog for a walk, or playing.
