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Bitten by a Dog? Here Is What You Need to Do!

Introduction

A dog bite is painful and dangerous and instils a fear of the animal. It is said that rabies caused by dog bites accounts for about 20,000 deaths in India alone. What is alarming is that 36% of the world’s rabies deaths occur in our country each year. Unfortunately, most victims are children who are bitten by infected dogs¹. In this blog, we will discuss how the rabies vaccine and wound care can help prevent the fatal outcomes of dog bites.

Astonishingly enough, a person is more likely to get a dog bite from a dog he is familiar with than from a street dog! A dog bite may lead to serious infections, rabies, and eventually result in death.

First aid is helpful after a dog bite, but always seek medical attention to ensure proper care. This is even more important in cases of a dog bite from an unfamiliar or unknown dog. Talk to your doctor/ animal bite clinic at a hospital about the administration of the rabies vaccine. If the wound does not stop bleeding, there is pus formation or redness with swelling, and if the bitten region is warmer than the other parts of the body, you need to see a doctor ASAP. A dog bite treatment must also include antibiotics to prevent infection.

Did you know?

In the United States, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with 800,000 requiring medical attention. Source: dshs.texas.gov
Children account for approximately half of all dog bite victims in the United States. Source: dshs.texas.gov
The elderly are the second most common group of dog bite victims in the United States. Source: dshs.texas.gov
Dog bites are the 13th leading cause of nonfatal emergency department visits in the United States. Source: NCBI
Between 2005 and 2018, the rate of dog bite injuries in the United States increased until 2012 and then underwent a significant decline. Source: NCBI

Here Is a General but Important Protocol to Follow (As Suggested by Experts)

Gently clean the wound with soap and rinse under running water for up to 15 minutes².
If it is bleeding, apply pressure on it and elevate the area above heart level to stop the bleeding.
Apply antiseptic as prescribed.
Consult a doctor immediately to begin the post-exposure prophylaxis protocol for rabies, which may include getting a tetanus injection, antibiotics, and anti-rabies serum (RIG). The treatment decisions will be based on exposure and vaccination status of the dog.

It is imperative to visit a doctor immediately in case of a dog bite, scratch or even if a dog has licked a cut on the skin².

Exercise Extra Caution If

The dog bite wound is large, deep and gaping
You have diabetes, cancer, AIDS, or any other diseases that reduce your immunity
The wound does not stop bleeding even after applying pressure for about 15 minutes
There is nerve or tissue damage due to the dog bite
In the last five years, you have not taken a tetanus vaccine
You are bitten by a stray dog or an unknown dog^2,3

To stop any bleeding place a clean towel. Try to keep the injured area elevated. Wash the bite carefully with soap and water. Apply a sterile bandage to the wound. To prevent from infection you can apply antibiotic ointment. Get Rabies Vaccination.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

Possible Complications in Dog Bite

Thousands of dog bites are reported each year all over the country. Most of these bites may not look serious but should be evaluated by a doctor for post-exposure prophylaxis. Children, more than adults, tend to get dog bites. Rabies infection is life-threatening; therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor or nearest animal bite clinic without delay. Complications associated with a dog bite include:

Disfigurement: A bite from a big, large, and ferocious dog can cause serious damage. Given that the attack itself might be serious, it may cause large-scale disfigurement and scarring. Although rare, there have been reported cases from various parts of the country where dogs have bitten off the limbs of smaller children⁴. Facial injuries caused by dog bites or scratches can also lead to scarring that may last a lifetime.
Rabies: Rabies is a disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain. Most pet dogs are vaccinated for rabies; however, if you get bitten or scratched by a street dog that has a low chance of being vaccinated, you need to get medical help as soon as possible. Rabies is almost fatal when symptoms start showing^5,6.
Sepsis: This complication caused by a dog bite injury is commonly referred to as blood poisoning. It is a potentially fatal inflammation of the affected area that can lead to serious complications⁷. High fever, elevated heart rate, and low blood pressure are some of the symptoms of sepsis. Although treatable with antibiotics in milder cases, it may turn lethal if the infection has spread⁸.
Meningitis: This is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. Meningitis can be life-threatening if not treated. Bacteria or viruses present in a dog’s saliva can lead to meningitis⁹.

Washing the dog bite area with soap and water is very important. If you feel that the wound is very deep, is bleeding persistently or if you are bit in the hands or face, it is important to visit a hospital immediately for treatment.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Depending upon the type of Dog Bite, Doctors May Advise Post-exposure Management as Listed Below

Management of animal bite wound(s)- Proper wound care and need for antibiotic
Passive immunisation with Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG)
Active immunisation with Anti-rabies Vaccine (Rabies Vaccine)¹⁰

Do not delay in seeking a doctor’s help because post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies is best effective when started early on. Spread this information to your loved ones to spread awareness about this life-threatening condition.

Also Read: Nipah Virus: All You Need to Know

References

Dodda Basava Janekunte, Onkar Yadav Ninganna, Poorvitha Hadya Palaksha. State-wise geospatial analysis of dog bite burden in India from 2018 to 2023. Porto Biomedical Journal [Internet]. 2025 Sep 1 [cited 2025 Dec 11];10(5):e305–5. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12533994/

National Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis, 2019 [Internet]. National Centre for Disease Control. Available from: https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rabies-Guidelines.pdf

Rock K. Dog Bites and Kids: What to Do (and Say) If It Happens [Internet]. URMC Newsroom. 2025. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/health-matters/dog-bites-and-kids-what-to-do-and-say-if-it-happens

Lin W, Pavan Manohar Patil. Facial Dog Attack Injuries. 2015 Feb 1; Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4376831/

Wilson P, Rohde R. Available from: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/IDCU/disease/rabies/information/prevention/8ThingsToKnowAboutRabies.pdf

Rabies: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001334.htm

Sheik Ali S, Sheik Ali S. Dog bite injuries to the face: A narrative review of the literature. World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2020 Dec; Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9479474/

MedlinePlus. Sepsis [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. National Library of Medicine; 2023. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/sepsis.html

Hansen M, Crum-Cianflone NF. Capnocytophaga canimorsus Meningitis: Diagnosis Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing and Systematic Review of the Literature. Infectious Diseases and Therapy. 2019 Jan 31;8(1):119–36. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6374236/

Thibault LP, Rousseau E. Dog bites. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2018 Jan 28;190(4):E113–3. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5790559/

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