You were playing with your dog, and Ouch it happened! He bit you suddenly. Well, no need to worry, we have got it all covered. Just hang on and keep reading.

A Dog bite can be excruciating and risky. It is estimated that around 20,000 deaths happen due to Rabies bite in India. It is disturbing to see that 36% of the world’s rabies deaths happen in our nation every year. Leaving a fear for dogs in individuals.

Amazingly enough, a person is more prone to get bitten by a dog known to him than a stary. So naturally, you could get a dog bite when you are least expecting it and there is not a lot that you could do in prevention. 

What are the common DOG BITE INFECTIONS?

1. Rabies
2. Tetanus
3. MRSA
4. Pasteurella
5. Staphylococcus
6. Punctured Wounds
7. Nerve and Muscle damage
8. Broken bones
   Individuals with diabetes, liver sickness, diseases that affect the immune system, and other medical issues might be more prone to getting an infection

DOG BITES BY LEVEL
LEVEL 1. No bite, only aggressive behaviour
LEVEL 2. No skin contact
LEVEL 3. One to four tooth pictures (half-length)
LEVEL 4. One to four punctures (deeper than half-length)
LEVEL 5. Multiple attacks
LEVEL 6. The victim dies.
Make vaccination an immediate priority. Puppies receive the first dosage before the third month of their age.

What are the signs of Rabies in Dogs?

1. Frothy saliva
2. Larynx paralysis
3. Excessive excitability
4. Unusual shyness
5. Lack of muscular coordination
6. Hydrophobia
7. Change in bark tone
8. Jaw drops often
9. Fever, seizures, paralysis

What are the signs of Rabies in Humans?

1. Length of illness – 3 to 6 days
2. Little water causes throat or neck spasms
3. Hyperactivity
4. Depression, Irritability, Anger
5. Fear of water or hydrophobia
6. Headache, malaise, and fever (2 to 4 days)
7. Continuous itching or pain in the bite area
8. Fear of death

FIRST AID AFTER A DOG BITE
1.Keep the wounded area under running water for 10 minutes.
2.Clean the wound with water or soap solution.
3.Use 70% alcohol or povidone-iodine solution.
4.Apply pressure if bleeding occurs to flush out germs.
5.Cover the wound with a sterile gauge.
6.See your Vet immediately.

Watch out for signs of any disease. Depending upon the type of disease, symptoms can start showing up within 24 hours of the bite or might take as long as 14 days in the wake of being bitten.
Your Vet will inspect the injury to see whether the bite was profound enough to harm muscles, ligaments, nerves, or bones. The specialist will completely clean the bite wound to eliminate any dirt or dead tissues from the injured site.
Sometimes, the bite wound is stitched to close it, even though this training is disputable, stitching the injury can diminish scarring. But it can also build the danger of diseases. Suturing could create an anaerobic environment beneath, promoting the growth and spread of the Rabies causing virus. The choice of stitching also depends upon the position of the affected area. For instance, dog nibbles on the face could be sutured to prevent noticeable scars, but deep injuries may require plastic medical procedures.

RABIES VACCINATION SCHEDULE AFTER A DOG BITE

First dose– You must receive your first dose of the anti-rabies vaccine the day you get bitten(day 1). It will give you the necessary Immunoglobin.
Second dose– Three days after the first dose (Third day)
Third dose– One week after the first dose (Seventh-day)
Fourth dose– Two weeks after the first dose ( Fourteenth day)
The Vet will check and suggest a Tetanus toxoid if necessary.
PEPs (Post-exposure prophylaxis) vaccinations are recommended in most cases. Antimicrobials could be suggested to prevent bacterial infection, depending on the depth of the bite. Minor wounds will heal within a week while untreated wounds take more time.

DO’S AND DONT’S

1. Do Not Chase a Strange Dog
   Never try to hurt or scare any dog. It might get aggressive if it feels threatened. If you get bitten by a dog that you are not familiar with, there will be no meaning in attempting to catch it. Rather contact a specialist quickly and get yourself to the medical clinic ASAP to be looked at and get cleaned.
2. Do Not Make Assumptions
   Do not expect that the dog who bit you is healthy and infection-free. Try not to expect that this is a one-time botch that has never occurred and will never happen again. Try not to make any presumptions about the obligation of the canine proprietor. It is best to continue with an alert, since you can’t be sure whether the canine has rabies, for instance.

HOW TO AVOID DOG BITES?
1.Choose a good temperament dog as a pet.
2.Never try to hurt or frighten unknown dogs.
3.Do not play with a dog feeding her puppies, eating, or sleeping.
4.Trained dogs carry less risk.
5.Never disregard little youngsters with a dog – particularly a new one.
6.At whatever point you approach a dog, do so slowly, and allow the dog to move towards you.
7.If a dog gets forceful, do not flee or shout. Remain quiet, move gradually, and do not look into its eyes.

OUTLOOK
Canine bites can be frightening and, if left untreated, can be a cause of genuine complications. Bacterial infections are a typical effect of dog bites and it is difficult to get an indication of any disease.
Immunizing your dog and yourself against Rabies and avoiding obscure canines is your best guard against dog bites and their entanglements. Never approach a dog you don’t have the foggiest idea of, regardless of how lovable they may look.
Also, abstain from roughhousing or playing forcefully with dogs, including those you know. It is always advised to ‘let sleeping dogs lie,’ and to never upset a dog that is eating or thinking about pups.

**Discretion- Always consult a qualified doctor for checkups. If you find any animal or yourself in need of medical care, never disregard the advice of medical professionals. Never believe anything you read online or hear through any sources to be the absolute truth. Medical professionals are there for your best.