When should I call the vet for a dog bite wound? | arlo.® Atlas
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Overview
Call the vet for a dog bite wound if the skin is broken, the wound is puncture-like, bleeding doesn’t stop, swelling is building, or your dog seems sore, lame, dull or off food. Bite wounds can look minor at first, but they often hide deeper damage under the skin.
Even if the wound seems small, it’s worth getting veterinary advice if the bite was from another dog or animal, if it’s near a joint or the eye, or if you’re not sure how deep it goes. There may be several causes of what you’re seeing, and a quick check can help you decide the safest next step.
Things To Check
1. Look at whether the skin is actually broken, even if the mark is tiny or the fur is covering it.
2. Check for puncture holes, which can seal over quickly while damage remains underneath.
3. Note any bleeding, oozing, bad smell, heat, redness or swelling around the area.
4. See if your dog is licking, chewing, guarding the area or reacting when you touch it.
5. Check whether your dog is walking normally and using the leg, if the wound is on a limb.
6. Watch for changes in behaviour such as quietness, restlessness, shivering, hiding or not wanting to eat.
7. Make a note of when the bite happened and whether it is getting worse over the next few hours.
Common Causes
The most common cause is a bite or puncture from another dog, but cat bites and other animal bites can also happen. These wounds often cause more trauma than they first appear to, especially if teeth have gone through the skin.
Some wounds are mainly surface scratches or tears, while others have deeper bruising, contamination or tissue damage underneath. In some cases, swelling or discharge later on can suggest infection developing.
Less commonly, a bite may be close to a joint, tendon or deeper structure, which can make the problem more serious than it looks from the outside.
What To Do
Keep your dog calm and stop them licking or chewing the area if you can safely do so.
If the wound is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a clean cloth for a few minutes without repeatedly checking.
If the skin is only mildly marked and your dog is comfortable, you can keep the area clean and monitor it closely, but don’t assume it is trivial if it was a true bite.
Avoid using human creams, powders or strong antiseptics unless your vet has told you to. If the wound is dirty, painful, deep, swollen, or there’s any doubt about how serious it is, contact your vet promptly.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet the same day if the bite has broken the skin, is a puncture wound, is still bleeding, or looks swollen, hot, painful or contaminated. You should also call promptly if your dog is lame, distressed, lethargic, not eating, or the wound is on the face, neck, chest, belly or near a joint.
If the wound is deep, there’s tissue missing, or the bite came from an unknown animal, veterinary advice is especially important. Bite wounds can deteriorate after seeming fine at first, so it’s better to check early rather than wait for obvious signs of infection.
Products That May Help
Having the right routine care items to hand can make it easier to keep a wound area clean, manage grooming around sensitive skin, and support your dog while you’re monitoring things at home.
Related Questions
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Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.