Why do dogs bite?
In puppies, biting is often part of aggressive play. In adult dogs, biting or other aggressive behaviors can have many underlying motives or causes. Dogs use aggressive behaviors such as growling, lunging, snarling, snapping, or biting to communicate and to resolve competitive issues or perceived threats. The competition may be over food, territory, attention from an owner, position in a pack or group, or as a protective reaction towards another dog.
How serious are dog bite wounds?
Bites wounds are one of the most common reasons that dogs need emergency veterinary appointments, and they can cause significant injury to the skin and soft tissues. A dog's teeth and jaws are powerful and the wounds they inflict can crush or tear muscles and skin, penetrate through the chest wall and cause lung collapse, or cause serious or fatal damage to intestinal organs. Even a bite that does not break the skin can cause crushing or bruising injuries to the underlying soft tissues.
Bite wounds usually occur on the neck, head, and legs.
- Wounds on the neck can easily injure vital structures, including major blood vessels, numerous nerves, the esophagus (tube connecting the throat with the stomach), and the trachea (windpipe).
- Wounds on the face can cause severe damage to the eyes, ears, or mouth.
- Wounds on the legs can involve the joints.
The dog's mouth is full of bacteria, so any bite that punctures the skin introduces bacteria or other infectious organisms below the skin surface, where the bacteria can multiply and spread throughout the underlying tissues. All bite wounds are considered contaminated or infected.
Left untreated, the bacteria in an infected bite wound will cause a localized abscess or more generalized cellulitis (a tissue infection) that spreads through the surrounding area. In rare cases, a penetrating bite wound can cause septic arthritis (infection of the joint), osteomyelitis (infection of the bone), pyothorax (pus in the chest cavity), or septic peritonitis (pus in the abdominal cavity).
What should I do if my dog was in a fight?
If your dog has been in a fight with another animal, notify your veterinarian immediately. It can sometimes be difficult to know the extent of the injuries, particularly if the wounds are in areas with a lot of fur. Small puncture wounds from canine teeth can close over quickly and can easily be missed. Wounds that appear to be minor on the surface can be deceptive and may be life-threatening, depending on the location of the injury.
There are certain signs that require immediate emergency treatment, including:
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Breathing difficulty
- Weakness
- Crying or whining
- Limping
- Pale or blue gums
- Collapse
How are bite wounds treated?
Treatment depends on the extent of the injuries, your dog's general health, and the location of the wounds. The goals of treatment are to reduce the severity of any infection that develops by cleaning the wounds, removing any dead or severely damaged tissue, and surgically closing the wounds if necessary.
Initial Assessment and Pain Control
Most bite wounds are painful, so it is more humane for your dog to receive pain medication, a sedative, or an anesthetic before the injuries are fully assessed. Your veterinarian will shave the fur around the wounds to reduce further contamination and will flush the wounds to remove debris and bacteria.
For extensive wounds, severely contaminated wounds, or wounds in sensitive areas (e.g., near the eyes, mouth, or ears), your dog may need to be placed under general anesthesia so the area can be safely and thoroughly cleaned and treated.
Antibiotics and Infection Prevention
Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics for wounds that have penetrated the skin. For minor injuries, or for wounds that must be left open to heal, a topical antibiotic may be recommended. If there is any doubt that the skin has been penetrated, your veterinarian may prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox®) or enrofloxacin (Baytril®) to reduce the risk of serious infection. Wounds treated within six hours of the injury have the best chance of healing without complications.
Additional pain medications may also be sent home, most typically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as meloxicam (Rheumocam®, Metacam®), deracoxib (Deramaxx®), or carprofen (Rimadyl®).
Wound Management and Surgical Care
Small puncture wounds are usually left open, so any infection can drain out. Lacerations may be sutured, and temporary drains may be placed if the damage is extensive or if fluid build-up is likely.
Most lacerations will be debrided, meaning infected or severely damaged tissue is removed, and the wound edges are trimmed. In many cases, your veterinarian may enlarge skin wounds so they can thoroughly examine and clean the underlying tissues.
Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity Testing
Experts recommend bacterial culture and sensitivity testing to identify the bacteria involved and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. However, results can take several days, so these tests are often reserved for wounds that do not respond appropriately to initial broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.
How do I care for the wound after treatment?
If your dog's wounds have been closed with sutures, you will need to keep the area clean and dry. Your dog may need to wear an E-collar (Elizabethan collar or cone) or a bandage may be applied to cover the site.
If the wound has been left open to heal, or if a drain was placed in the wound, you will need to clean away any draining material regularly:
- You can use a clean, soft washcloth or cotton balls with warm water to remove debris.
- In some cases, your veterinarian will prescribe a mild disinfectant cleanser to assist with keeping the area clean.
- Only use products that are recommended by your veterinarian.
- Never use hydrogen peroxide to clean a bite wound unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian, as this can delay healing and can worsen the problem.
If you have been instructed to clean the wounds, use extreme care, as they may be painful, and your dog may bite you due to pain or fear. It is advisable to use a muzzle on your dog, even if they are normally gentle.
How can I prevent bite wounds?
There are a few ways you can help prevent bite wounds in your dog:
- Do not allow your dog to roam freely and keep your dog on a tight leash when you are outdoors, especially if you are in a park.
- Start basic obedience training at a young age, as well-mannered dogs are less likely to fight.
- Begin socializing your dog to be comfortable around other dogs while they are young, in controlled situations.
- If you are outdoors with your dog and you see a roaming stray dog, do not approach it. Even if your dog is gentle and friendly, you have no way of knowing the temperament of the other dog.
- Always make sure your pet's rabies vaccine is up-to-date in case a bite occurs.
