Dog Bites And Medical Care
But first, let me stress that there are cases where dog bites and medical care go paw in hand. Please make sure you take your pet to the vet for a bite wound the minute you see these signs:
- no eating
- no drinking
- lethargic
- a large swollen area which is not draining
This is really bad. I know because it happened often enough to my feline brother, and every time he would traipse down to the vet's to have his wound drained. When an animal's teeth puncture the skin, a mouthful of bacteria end up in the wound.
If the wound is allowed to close, that virulent bacteria will quickly multiply and discharge their toxic products, and an abscess will form. But it doesn't stop there: that bacteria can spread throughout the body and cause blood poisoning in your pet. Left unattended, septicemia can result in multiple organ failure and death.
Dog Bite Wound Care At Home
But if you are dealing with a small bite wound or open abscess that is draining, then some quick dog bite wound care at home can take care of the problem and spare your pet a lot of pain and distress. After all, you would do no less for your child, would you?
If you notice your pet limping, look for puncture marks or swelling and maybe bleeding and start treatment immediately. Cats often get bitten at the base of the tail as they run from their attacker. You will need to concentrate your efforts on disinfecting the wound and keeping it clean and open in order to allow it to drain completely.
Dog Health Care Advice
Conducting a thorough examination of your pet on a regular basis will help you spot any sign of trouble and allow you to take action before the situation deteriorates. When you are taking care of a bite on a dog or a cat, don't forget that you can support your treatment by using some herbs.
Goldenseal, barberry root and oil of oregano have antimicrobial properties, while astragalus, ginseng and echinacea stimulate the immune system in slightly different ways. Keep in mind that some of these herbs can be can be given orally, and others are applied topically.
Your veterinarian has no vested interest in training you to deal with cat or dog bites. In fact, financially speaking, it would be a very poor tactic. But you know your pets and you live with them. Learning about canine health will allow you to take charge and handle this dog bite wound care business like a pro.
