Dog bites can be very critical and many a times cause severe medical condition including infections and rabies, even can be fatal to the extent of death. A dog’s behavior is very crucial to understand their, underlying grounds of aggression and wild instincts, so as to stay away, when they feel provoked, also limiting ourselves from the unexpected risk of their biting power.
With the considerable rise in rabies transmission through dogs bite, almost 60,000 people are killed every year which is a deadly number. We often tend to think, that a wagging tail is the sign of excitement and joy but misinterpreting their wagging behavior with overall body postures, can be an unpleasant and unsafe experience.
Symptoms of dog bites
- The area around the affected part becomes red and inflamed.
- Causes immense irritation and discomfort.
- Shooting violent pain with fever and even headaches.
- Complications in moving the affected part.
- Result in severe bruising and bleeding.
- Discharge of fluids from the wound.
Complications after dog bites
Tetanus
Tetanus is a medical condition during which injurious bacteria keeps on multiplying themselves, that causes muscle stiffness and out of control contraction of muscles inflicting acute pain called muscle spasm. Tetanus shots are injected after dog bites, if in case you didn’t received this shot in last 5-6 years.
Rabies
Rabies is a fatal disease that is transmitted by the saliva of a dog that is itself affected with rabies virus. This is a deadly infection and can cause problems like headache, fever, seeing unreal situations like day dreaming and fear of water. This can be often caused by fox, cats and bats.
Nerve Damage
On many occasions dog bite can be extreme and can cause nerve damage resulting in-
- Lack of sensation and agonizing pain.
- Finding it hard to operate or move the injured part.
- A feel of tingling.
Infections
Dogs saliva contains 60 kinds of bacteria that is mainly responsible for different illness and infections.
Sepsis– Sepsis is a dangerous and fatal complication in which the immune system of the body overly reacts to an infection. Instead of fighting the infection, immune system complicates the issue by causing chronic inflammation over the whole body and escalating the situation to organ failures and even loss of life in some cases.
Cellulitis– Cellulitis is a contagious skin infection in which the deeper tissues of the skin is affected. Its mostly usual with legs and can be caused due to entering of abnormal bacteria through cuts or injury and the injured skin feels inflamed, red and painful.
Abscess– Abscess is a condition which includes accumulation of puss more so over like a lump filled with fluids. When the immunity of the body becomes weaker and unable to absorb the infection, so this fluid puss gathers up and most usually shows up on skin and teeth.
Step wise treatment
- First step is to prevent bleeding by applying pressure with a clean towel or cloth.
- Rinse the wound with soap and pure water for at least 8 to 10 mins.
- Apply antibacterial cream so as to avoid any chances of infection.
- Completely wrap the injured part with a sterile bandage.
- Examine the injured part for any infection.
- If you detect any infection signs, rush for medical assistance.
When to consult a doctor
- You don’t recall the last tetanus shot or it’s been over 5 years since you had the shot.
- When you don’t know about the past vaccination report of the dog.
- Wounds are unhealing or deep layer cuts.
- Damage of nerve following lack of sensation.
- Excessive flow of blood from injured area without stoppage.
- Any fracture signs on the affected part.
- Inability to move the damaged part, such as bite on leg leading to leg immobility.
- If you find any infection symptoms.
- Feeling feverish.
- Pain that is violent and unbearable.
FAQS to understand better
Q1- Can dog bite make us sick?
Yes, dog bite can make us sick, a dog's saliva consist of 60 types of toxic bacteria which can cause persistent sickness, headaches ultimately resulting in health deterioration and even deaths in some cases.
Q2 – What is an ARV injection?
ARV is an abbreviation for "Anti Rabies Vaccine" used for preventing infections and ensuring safety by building resistance against the disease, after a dog bite.
Q3- Can I get rabies from a vaccinated dog’s bite?
The possibility of getting infected with rabies from a bite of vaccinated dog is very low but the vaccine is not 100% curative. However its required that the dog received vaccination on timely basis and you should always consult a doctor for better assessment.
Q4- Can rabies vaccine cause pain?
Yes, it can grow general or mild pain with some symptoms like inflammation or redness, but that's not something to worry about and easily endurable.
Q5- Do all dog bites require an injection?
No, its not compulsory to get injected after a dogs bite if the dogs vaccination report is up to date or unless and until there are some strange signs like excessive saliva drooling of the dog, bite is deep or a bite at the face exposing to higher risk of infection.
Q6- How many injection shots does a dog bite need and the cost?
A dog bite requires at least requires 5 shots according to the anti rabies norms and compliances and these shots are given leaving some days in between and costs between ₹400 to ₹1400, if the hospital is government approved so it will cost you less while high in private clinics.
Q7- Which dog has the strongest bite force?
Kangal have been recognized as the strongest breed of dog in terms of Bite force power which is extremely impactful force of 743 PSI causing significant damage.
Q8- What does a dog bite in dream means?
After going through this myself and deep researching about disclosing dream of a dog bite, came to know that this sign represents the following- 🐶Disloyalty of someone you put faith upon. 🐶Your own anxious or fearful state. 🐶A warning sign to take additional preventive actions in your life.
Note: “This article is based on my experience as a dog enthusiast and handler. Based on years of experience and thorough research, this is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Please consult a licensed veterinarian for any concerns of your pet’s health.”