Although most dogs are friendly, they will bite if provoked. Also, animal bites are dirty and frequently get infected.

The following information is relevant whether the casualty is another dog or a human:

Bites from animals can be jagged and frequently get infected. If an animal bite has punctured the skin, it is important to wash the wound really well and also to look out for any signs of infection. It is sensible to get any bite that has punctured the skin looked at by a medical professional. Often the surface of the wound may not look too serious, however the bite can penetrate quite deeply and inject infected matter under the skin. If the wound looks red and becomes inflamed, hot, or angry looking, then it is infected and the casualty will need antibiotics.

The initial treatment for a bite is the same as for any other wound, except it is important to wash it thoroughly, if you are not happy doing this consult a medical professional.

• reassure the casualty
• wash the wound thoroughly with clean water and antiseptic soap if available
• remove objects like hair or dirt from the wound using running water. If there are any large foreign objects, don’t risk removing these because they may be stemming bleeding. Leave it for the hospital to take out if you aren’t confident enough
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease pain or swelling
• gently squeeze the wound until it bleeds a bit – this can reduce the risk of infection
• apply pressure to stop bleeding
• be ready to treat for shock.

Outside the UK, if someone is bitten or licked in a wound, it is really important to get medical attention very fast and have anti-rabies medication. It is also important to ensure that the casualty is covered for tetanus.

Bleeding

If someone is bleeding, the priority is always to stop the blood coming out!

If possible, always wear gloves when dealing with bleeding.

Use this mnemonic to help guide you:

S – Sit or lie the person down. This will help to manage shock and prevent them from feeling dizzy and faint.

E – Examine the area to see if there is anything stuck in the wound. If a dog has bitten someone, there may be hair or dirt stuck in the wound so you should remove these with running water.

E – Elevate the bleeding above the level of the heart to slow down the bleeding. Please note that latest guidelines no longer recommend elevation. This alone will not stop bleeding, pressure is more important.

P – Pressure – apply direct pressure on the wound to stop the blood coming out.

The treatment of all bleeding remains the same:

• encourage the casualty to sit or lay down in the most appropriate position for the location of the wound and the amount of blood lost. For example, if they are feeling dizzy and showing early signs of shock, raise their legs
• examine the wound to rapidly assess:
  • the type and extent of bleeding
  • the source of the bleeding
  • whether there are any foreign objects embedded in the wound. If so, do not remove them as they will be stemming bleeding. Apply direct pressure either side of the object.
• apply direct pressure to try and control bleeding. If the bleeding is controlled with this direct pressure, keeping holding for 10 minutes because it takes this amount of time for clots to form
• once bleeding is controlled, you should dress the wound. If the wound bleeds through the first dressing, apply another on top. If the wound bleeds through the second dressing then you should consider alternative options to stop the bleeding.

Shock

A person who has been bit may suffer from shock.

Shock is ‘a lack of oxygen to the tissues of the body’, caused by a fall in blood volume or pressure.

It occurs as a result of the body’s circulatory failing to work properly. Consequently, the tissues of the body, including the heart and the brain, struggle to get sufficient oxygen.

The body’s response to this is to shut down the circulation to the skin. Therefore, it becomes pale, cold and clammy. The heart speeds up because it struggles to get sufficient blood supply and oxygen and to draw the blood away from the gut. Thus, the casualty may feel sick and thirsty.

They may also feel anxious, dizzy and a bit confused. This is because their brain suffers from the lack of oxygenated blood too.

Symptoms of shock

• rapid pulse
• pale, cold and clammy
• grey-blue skin colour and blue tinge to the lips
• weak and dizzy
• nausea and vomiting
• thirst
• shallow, rapid breathing
• may become restless and possibly aggressive – a sense of ‘impending doom’
• yawning and gasping for air
• eventually they will lose consciousness and become unresponsive and they may stop breathing

About us

First Aid for Life provide award-winning first aid training tailored to your needs – Please visit our site and learn more about our practical and online courses. It is vital to keep your skills current and refreshed. We are currently providing essential training for individuals and groups across the UK. In addition, we have a great range of online courses. These are ideal as refreshers for regulated qualifications or as Appointed Person qualifications.

You can attend a fully regulated Practical or Online First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit https://firstaidforlife.org.uk or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.

First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals who will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.

First Aid for life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken on this information.

It is highly recommended that you attend a practical or online First Aid course to learn how to help in a medical emergency

First Aid for life and onlinefirstaid.com provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.  The best way to be prepared for action in an emergency is to attend a practical First Aid course.

For more information please visit:  firstaidforlife.org.uk or contact emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk  0208 675 4036

Author: Emma Hammett