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Dogs are predators that attack with strong sharp teeth that can deliver up to 450 pounds of pressure per square inch. When the strong jaws of the dog have locked on its victim, the needle sharp teeth can literally tear the flesh away. Depending on the body part bitten, the dog bite can cause lifelong injuries that will limit the victim's mobility. Serious injuries caused by dog bites can be the cause of the victims death. When a dog sinks its teeth on the flesh of the victim, bacteria will be injected on the deep puncture wounds causing infections and viral diseases. A potential life threatening outcome of dog bites is rabies.

Dog bite is one of the downsides of humans close association with dogs. Children are the most common victims of dog bites and often times, the kid is bitten by the pet. How do you treat a dog bite?

Dog bite victims have to have first aid to prevent infection but it would be necessary to remove the victim away from the dog first. Dog bites can create two types of wounds - deep puncture wounds and lacerations. Infection commonly occurs in deep puncture wounds as the teeth inject bacteria to the wound. Lacerations are created when dog's teeth tears away the skin.

Profuse bleeding is not common in puncture wounds thus further bleeding must be allowed for a few minutes so that that bacteria injected by the dog's teeth will be removed from the wound. Lacerations commonly bleed profusely. To stem the heavy flow of blood, direct pressure is applied directly in the injured body part. Both types of dog bites must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection.

Dog bites can cause skin lacerations that need to be sutured but before taking the victim to a medical facility the bite wound must be cleaned thoroughly as bacteria allowed to stay inside the skin for several hours will have an opportunity to cause infection. Washing the wound with antibacterial soap for about five minutes will lessen the risk of infection. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with sterile gauze. As expected, a person with dog bite wounds would be in pain. The pain that is mostly caused by the swelling will be minimized with an application of ice compress on the bite wound.

Rabies would always be a concern with dog bites especially if the immunization status of the dog is unknown. Dog bite victims of stray dogs with an unknown rabies immunization status have to undergo rabies immunization therapy .

Find out more about how to treat a dog bite as well as dog first aid tips for lacerations and puncture wounds.