First Aid For Dog Bites

Dog bites can be very painful and in the most
serious cases can prove fatal. Blood loss is
always the first priority, whereby urgent first
aid skills are often called upon. Careful
treatment is often required as there can be
secondary complications from any bite, whether
it is human, dog or wild animal. It is estimated
that at least half of all children will be bitten
by a dog at some point in their life, usually
from the family pet or a friends.

The first port of call when treating a bite is
always to clean any saliva away from the wound.
A dog's mouth contains millions of bacteria,
which are transmitted through their saliva, and
housed in their teeth. Removing the saliva from
in and around the wound can help reduce the
spread of infection; however it is important to
protect yourself and the casualty by wearing
gloves. The removal of saliva can be assisted by
washing the wound with a mixture of
anti-bacterial soap and water. This is
recommended for all cases where major blood loss
is not an immediate priority.

In some cases large quantities of blood may pour
out of the wound. There is a danger that it could
disrupt the casualty's circulatory system, which
in extreme cases can prove fatal if left
untreated. The first port of call when coming
across a serious wound is to fetch a variety of
sterile bandages. Use the appropriate size for
the part of the body that is affected, and wrap
the bandage tightly around the wound. It's
better that it is tight as opposed to loose, but
it should not cut the circulation off below the
wound.

Casualty's will be transferred to hospital when
a serious dog bite has occurred, but in other
cases the bandaged wound will be left, and then
observed over a 24 / 48 hour period. It's
critical at this stage to check for any signs of
infection on the wound itself and its surrounding
area. In the early stages there may be a sense of
warmth around the wound, which can be accompanied
by swelling. Persistent pain could also be an
indicator that something more sinister lurks
within the wound. In other cases it may be
possible to see a pus discharge or redness
around the site of the bite. It is essential to
seek professional medical attention if any of
the above symptoms arise.

There is a risk of rabies in a bite from an
unknown dog, or in a region that is known to
carry the virus. Rabies is usually always fatal
in humans when left untreated, and there can
sometimes be very few initial symptoms. It is
essential that urgent medical treatment is
sought, even when there is only the slightest
suspicion that a dog may have the virus. This is
usually done at central hospitals, which house
the lifesaving anti-viral medication that is
required to treat the condition.

Overall the vast majority of bites are easily
treatable, and there is very little risk of a
first aider causing any harm. It is for this
reason that no one should ever be alarmed about
applying emergency treatment in the event of a
bite.


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Bill Casserley is a dedicated first aid
instructor, who regularly volunteers at sporting
events. Did you know the skills that were
outlined in the article? If not then visit the
emergency first aid course learning zone @
http://www.train-aid.co.uk for free tips.



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