Bite Wound Treatment in Animals
General Care for Puncture Wounds and Bites
Bite wounds are very common injuries in livestock and pets, but they’re also very prone to infection and difficult to heal due to the difficulty associated with cleaning puncture wounds and the copious amounts of bacteria that are transferred to the wound at the time the bite occurs.
When a bite occurs, bacteria that’s present on the teeth and in the saliva is essentially injected into the wound. If the aggressor is suffering from an illness such as rabies, the virus is also transferred into the flesh. If the virus comes in contact with the bite victim’s circulatory system, the virus is transmitted to the victim and it quickly travels around the body, multiplying as it travels via the blood.
To make matters worse, bite wounds provide the perfect warm, protected environment for bacteria to multiply. And when bacteria multiplies and develops beyond the reach of the body’s immune system, an infection results.
“Bite wounds have the added component of creating serious crushing and puncture injuries. Extensive swelling is very common and this is not only painful, but it can also seal the bite wound closed, inhibiting drainage, air flow and setting the stage for infection,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
When a Bite Wound Occurs
Bite wounds are not an injury that should go without treatment from a veterinarian. Oral antibiotics are almost always necessary to promote healing. Added treatment is necessary if there’s a chance that the aggressor was a carrier of a potentially deadly virus such as rabies.
Quick action at home immediately following the injury can help lessen the chance of infection. Once bleeding stops, the hair around the wound should be trimmed. Next, the wound should be washed with an anti-bacterial soap, followed by a thorough flushing to help remove some of the bacteria. The wound should then be flushed with sterile saline and disinfected using betadine, or hydrogen peroxide if betadine is not available. The wound should then be temporarily dressed until the animal is examined by a veterinarian, to help prevent contamination from dirt, debris and licking of the wound site.
Notably, a bite wound should be left uncovered for the majority of the healing process. A light dressing should only be applied for a short period of time, to protect the area until the animal can be brought to the veterinarian’s office.
Swelling is very common with bite wounds, so applying an ice pack for 20 minute sessions, several times a day, will help lessen the swelling and the discomfort that’s associated with the inflammation.
The entire flushing and disinfecting process should be repeated as the wound heals, even if the animal is prescribed oral antibiotics. This will help speed healing and limit the chances of serious infection.
Livestock and other outdoor animals suffering from open wounds should be kept indoors as much as possible, particularly during the warm summer months, to help lessen the chance of fly strike. The body is also less able to deal with heat, cold and other stressors when healing is occurring.
