1800 Maple Road, Suite #100
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 636-5437
3055 Southwestern Blvd., Suite #104
Orchard Park, NY 14127
(716) 636-5437
 
 Two convenient locations open 365 days a year. No appointment necessary! 
DOG BITE
Dog Bite

Understanding & Treating Dog Bites

When Should a Dog Bite Be Examined?

Many kids love dogs, and many dogs love kids right back. However, “many” isn’t the same as “all.” Even a dog that is generally happy to be around kids can bite if it’s scared, hurt, or feeling ill. Dog bites are unfortunately a fact of life, and it’s important that all parents and guardians know what to do if their child is ever bitten.

The first thing is to evaluate the wound. We strongly recommend that all dog bites be examined by a doctor; however, this is more urgent if your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • The bleeding doesn’t stop.
  • There is redness, swelling, warmth or pus around the wound (these are signs of infection).
  • The bite is very deep.
  • The dog that bit the child is unfamiliar to you.

You can start treating the bite at home, but you should make every effort to seek urgent care services as soon as possible.

How Do You Treat a Dog Bite?

Before you come to an urgent care center, apply basic first aid to the wound. First, use a clean towel as a compress to stop the bleeding. Clean the wound using soap and water, then treat it with antibiotic ointment. Cover it with a sterile bandage. Also, try to find out as much as you can about the dog and the circumstances of the bite, such as who owns the dog, whether the dog is up to date on their vaccinations, and whether the bite was provoked or not.

After you come to the urgent care center, the doctor or other medical professional will carefully examine the bite. Depending on the depth of the bite, whether bleeding has stopped, and how important reducing visible scarring may be, your child may need sutures to close the wound. The doctor may also prescribe a rabies shot, tetanus shot or booster shot, and a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. Make sure your child takes all medication as instructed and that the wound is cared for appropriately.

Here at Pediatric & Adolescent Urgent Care of WNY, our team has ample experience treating dog bites. Families come to us from across the Western New York area whenever they have an unfortunate run-in with a dog. We can take the right steps to help your child physically recover from this incident, so your family can get back to normal life. If your child is ever bitten by a dog, come to see us as soon as you can.

Share by: