How To Treat a Dog Bite

If you have disposable gloves available, put them on.

Check for bleeding. If the victim is bleeding profusely, treat the bleeding and skip cleaning the wound. If the bleeding is not profuse, then proceed to the next step, which is washing the wound.

Wash the wound with soap and a steady, high-pressure stream of water for about one minute.

Place a sterile dressing, such as a gauze pad, against the bite and apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops.

If blood soaks through the first layer, do not remove it. Instead, add another layer on top of it.

Secure the dressing with adhesive tape.

Raise the wound above the head to slow the bleeding.

Call the authorities to report the bite. If the animal was a stranger, they’ll need to investigate to make sure the animal is not rabid, and will advise you as to whether you need shots.

Seek immediate medical attention if the bite begins to induce more pain, or if the victim has developed a fever, swollen glands, or red streaks spreading from the wound toward the heart.