Search results
If you have been bitten by a dog, you should know the 6 levels of dog bites according to the Dunbar bite scale. AnimalWised explains these 6 levels and what sort of action is required to prevent serious injury.
- Kangal Dog – 743 PSI. Not only is the Kangal dog one of the largest dog breeds in the world, standing tall at 28-32 inches (71-81 cm), but these dogs also have the strongest bite of 743 PSI.
- American Bandogge – 730 PSI. I got to say that the American Bandogge might be somewhat of a controversial breed because it’s not a standardized breed that is recognized by the American Kennel Club.
- Cane Corso – 700 PSI. According to AKC “The Corso’s lineage goes back to ancient Roman times, and the breed’s name roughly translates from the Latin as ‘bodyguard dog.’”
- Dogue De Bordeaux – 556 PSI. I think it’s not surprising that another mastiff breed ended up so high on this list. The Dogue de Bordeaux has a bite force of 556 PSI which is quite impressive, but for me, their history is actually even more impressive!
- Overview
- How can you tell if a dog bite is infected?
- Managing dog bites and preventing infection
- Treatment
- Complications
- When to see a doctor
- Summary
If a dog bite pierces the skin, bacteria can get into the body, which can cause an infection. This can cause symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and drainage from the wound.
Washing the wound thoroughly can remove the bacteria from the body and help prevent infection. If the bacteria stay in the body, they can cause an infection, such as tetanus, rabies, or sepsis.
Symptoms of a dog bite infection can include:
•swelling and redness around the wound
•pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
•drainage from the wound
•difficulty moving the affected part of the body
•a warm feeling around the wound
To help prevent infection from a dog bite, people should wash the wound as soon as possible. People can treat minor wounds by:
•washing the wound with soap and warm water, making sure to clean the area thoroughly
•running the wound under lukewarm water to flush out bacteria
•applying antibiotic cream to the wound and then wrapping a clean bandage around it
People should deal with deeper, more serious wounds by:
•pressing a dry, clean cloth firmly against the wound to stop the bleeding
People may be able to use at-home treatments to prevent a dog bite from becoming infected. Cleaning minor wounds immediately is often sufficient. However, people should see a doctor for more serious wounds.
A doctor may use a syringe to apply water and a cleaning solution to the wound. Doing this helps flush out bacteria from the wound. The doctor may then prescribe antibiotics to fight off any bacteria that have entered the body and prevent infection.
A doctor will also be able to examine the wound to look for any damage to structures in the body, such as nerves or bones.
If the person has not had a tetanus vaccine in the last 5 years, they may need to have one to reduce the risk of tetanus.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, people with a dirty wound should have a booster tetanus vaccine if more than 5 years have passed since their last shot. For a clean wound, people should have a booster vaccine if it has been more than 10 years since their last shot.
In cases of severe or facial wounds, people may need stitches to close the wound. If the person does not know the dog’s history of rabies vaccination, they will need a postexposure rabies vaccine to protect them from the possibility of rabies.
Capnocytophaga
If people have a Capnocytophaga infection from a dog bite, they may have the following symptoms: •blistering around the wound •redness, swelling, and pain around the wound •oozing from the wound •fever •vomiting and diarrhea •headaches •joint pain Symptoms can appear between 1 and 14 days after a dog bite. The following factors can increase a person’s risk of infection: •excessive alcohol use •not having a spleen •the presence of health conditions that affect the immune system •taking medications that can damage cells, such as chemotherapy Without treatment, complications of Capnocytophaga infection can include: •kidney failure •heart attack •gangrene A doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat a Capnocytophaga infection.
Sepsis
Untreated animal bites can sometimes lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a severe reaction to infection, and it can be life threatening. Signs of sepsis include: •high or low body temperature •confusion •extreme daytime sleepiness •severe pain or discomfort If a person suspects that they have sepsis, they should seek immediate medical attention. A doctor will treat sepsis with antibiotics and intravenous fluids.
Rabies
People can get rabies if a dog that has rabies bites them. The first symptoms of rabies are: •a headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms •weakness •an itching or prickling feeling around the bite Rabies is fatal if a person does not receive treatment. People should see their doctor straight away if they think that the dog that bit them might have rabies. Postexposure rabies vaccination can treat the infection.
People should seek emergency medical attention for a dog bite if they have:
•uncontrollable bleeding from the wound
•a fever
•a red, swollen, or painful wound
•a wound that feels warm
•a deep wound and have not had their tetanus shot within the last 5 years
People may be able to avoid getting an infection from a dog bite if they wash the wound straight away. They can hold the wound under running water or use soap and water to wash it thoroughly before covering the wound with a bandage to keep it clean.
For deeper wounds, the person should see a doctor, who will wash out the wound with a saline solution and apply a dressing.
People should see their doctor straight away if they have any symptoms of infection around the wound, such as:
•redness
•worsening pain
•warmth around the wound
- Beth Sissons
Aug 1, 2023 · When a dog bites, several factors and reactions come into play. Dogs have sharp teeth that can cause puncture wounds, lacerations, or avulsion injuries. The force of the bite and the dog’s jaw strength can vary, resulting in varying degrees of damage.
Dog bite force measures the pressure a dog’s jaw can apply when biting an object or surface. This force is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), quantifying the pressure applied to a specific area. This metric is used across animal species to measure jaw strength.
Sep 26, 2022 · The initial injury is the result of the physical trauma of teeth puncturing or tearing soft tissue, and in the case of some dog bites, blunt force breaking bones. Dog bites are more commonly macerated due to the ripping and tearing forces involved.
People also ask
What is a good bite force for a dog?
What causes a dog bite to break a bone?
What happens if a dog bites?
How much bite force does a dog have?
What does PSI mean in a dog bite test?
What causes a dog to bite?
Shearing, tensile, and compressive forces are involved in dog bite wounds, of which tensile and compressive forces are the most devastating. Tensile forces result in avulsion of the skin from underlying tissue, compromising blood supply and promoting infection due to creation of dead space.
