The child was bitten by a dog - what to do?

A dog, of course, is a friend of man, but it is, above all, an animal with the appropriate instincts. Small children often perceive animals as toys - they squeeze, they are hugged, pulled by the tail and paws, not realizing that such treatment often does not like them, and the response to such games can be aggression and even bites. Of course, it is better not to allow such situations, but if it has already happened, one should not panic.

So, what to do if a dog is bitten by a child?

  1. If the bleeding is not very strong, do not stop it right away - let the blood drain the dog's saliva, which can contain viruses and bacteria that are dangerous to humans.
  2. Rinse the bite with running water and soap. If you can not wash the wound with water, you can use hydrogen peroxide, iodine, cologne or an aseptic spray.
  3. Next, treat the skin around the wound to kill the bacteria that can cause inflammation and suppuration.
  4. Apply a sterile bandage or bactericidal plaster on the wound.
  5. After providing first aid, you need to go to the hospital, where the child will be given a preventive inoculation against tetanus and will be prescribed antibacterial drugs.

Further actions depend on what the dog injured the baby. If a child is bitten by a domestic dog, then it is necessary to check it with a veterinarian for rabies . In the case when the dog is stray, it is necessary to pass a preventive course of vaccination against this virus, which will prevent the development of the disease.

The child was bitten by a dog: possible consequences

  1. The most dangerous is the infection with the rabies virus, which causes an incurable disease, so timely treatment to the doctor is so important.
  2. If the animal is large, it can cause a deep wound with defeat and partial loss of tissues.
  3. If a dog bites a child for face, neck and head, serious problems not only from a medical point of view, but also from an aesthetic point of view, are also possible.
  4. The child is under severe stress, followed by fear of dogs and other animals in principle. In this case, the help of a psychologist is necessary.