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Dealing with Bites

Dogs are most commonly bitten by another dog, a cat or a rat.

Dog Bites

There is invariably some degree of penetration with this injury, and it is important that a close watch be kept on such injuries until they have completely healed, as abscess formation is a constant danger if healing of the skin wound is too rapid. Immediately the bite is found the hair should be clipped away from the wound. This is very necessary with the longhaired breeds. A thorough search should be made for other wounds; these often have only small skin openings and may be easily overlooked. The wounds should then be thoroughly cleansed with cotton wool soaked in warm water containing a suitable antiseptic.

Any injury near the eyes should be swabbed with warm water only. This should be done twice daily for at least 5 days, and in the event of any heat or hardness developing in the injured region a veterinary surgeon should be informed.

If larger than about half an inch, any tear in the skin alone, or skin and muscle, should be seen at once by a veterinary surgeon in order that any stitching that may be necessary can be carried out promptly. It is important that such wounds are not left many hours as once secondary infection occurs and granulation tissue form, a wound cannot be stitched satisfactorily.

Bites on the head, limbs or genitalia should be regarded with especial caution, and veterinary advice sought if in doubt. Bites by dogs with powerful jaws may result in fracture, or puncture, of a bone or a joint, and such wounds can only be satisfactorily treated systemically, as well as locally, by a veterinary surgeon. Small centres of infection are left embedded deeply in the tissue, and these centres may, and usually do, form abscesses at a later stage.

Cat Bites

Cat bites, fortunately, are not very common in dogs as cats generally prefer to scratch and run. However, when they do occur they should be thoroughly cleansed, hair being clipped away from the points of entry, and then swabbed. Usually it is advisable to have the animal injected with penicillin or some other anti-infective agent. Gat bites are notoriously dirty, and the wound is of the puncture variety, i.e., deep, with a small point of entry, and therefore provides inadequate drainage. This is true also of:

Rat Bites

Here again local treatment should be carried out, but systemic treatment is more or less essential to avoid complications. Rats carry an infection called leptospiral jaundice, which can easily be fatal to dogs who have no protection against the disease.

It is wise, therefore, following a local dressing and cleansing of the wound (which the owner can usually do quite satisfactorily) to have the animal given a dose of antiserum, and/or suitable antibiotic. This will prevent the much more dangerous complication of leptospiral infection. All dogs should be immunised against this disease if they are employed as ratters, or are likely to be in contact in any way with these vermin.

Details of Vaccination:

Vaccination against leptospira icterrohaemorrhagia infection is a simple process, which is carried out in the healthy dog and which will protect him for the rest of his life. The vaccination consists of two small injections, each of 1 ex. only, given subcutaneously at an interval of one week. There are no ill effects after these injections and the dog will be immune to the disease within a few days of the second injection.

Accidents and Artificial Respiration

Street accidents can be divided into two main groups: ...read more >>

Dealing with Fracture

General. Fractures are the result of injury to the normally firm skeletal tissue-bone. Fractures may be of three main types: ...read more >>

Unusual Abdominal Pain

Certain rarer conditions may produce abdominal pain, e.g. intussusception, where the symptoms are similar to those of an intestinal foreign body. This is where a portion of the bowel becomes inverted upon itself. It is commonest in the young dog or puppy. Vomiting is a constant feature, with a temperature rise of 102° - 104°F, and intermittent straining. Diarrhoea is a frequent forerunner of this condition and such a chain of symptoms in a young dog should be regarded as probably indicative of this state, and your veterinary surgeon informed promptly as the only treatment is surgical. ...read more >>

Dealing with Burns and Scalds

A burn is an injury produced by dry heat and a scald by moist heat, but the first-aid treatment is the same for both. Except in very minor cases, these injuries need immediate treatment by a veterinary surgeon. Shock is present in all moderately or seriously burnt or scalded dogs and the prognosis for the latter is not good. Toxaemia and sepsis are common secondary consequences. ...read more >>

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Make sure you typed the correct URL or followed a valid link. ...read more >>

Dislocations and Medicine

Dislocations occur occasionally in dogs, usually as a result of a car accident. The commonest joint to become dislocated is the hip joint, although in the sporting breeds, especially greyhounds, dislocation of a toe joint is not unusual. ...read more >>

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Heat Stroke and Hysteria

This is most frequent in short-nosed dogs, especially bulldogs. Immediate action is important as collapse and heart failure may occur quite rapidly. Remove the dog to as cool a spot as possible. The animal should be carried and not allowed to exert itself in any way. A room with a stone floor is ideal, and the animal should be laid on its right side with the left side uppermost. A current of air helps greatly, and fanning the dog will increase the intake of fresh air. ...read more >>

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