Dog bite: what to do first and when stitches are needed

Dog Bite: What to Do First and When Stitches Are Needed

A dog bite can be unsettling, but prompt, calm action can prevent complications. This guide, based on credible medical sources, walks you through immediate care, when to seek professional help –and when stitches may be necessary.

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Immediate First Steps After a Dog Bite

1. Ensure safety
   • Move away from the animal.
   • Secure the dog if possible (have the owner restrain it).

2. Control bleeding
   • Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
   • If blood soaks through, place another cloth on top—don’t remove the first one.

3. Clean the wound
   • Gently rinse with running tap water for 5 minutes.
   • Use mild soap around (not directly into) the wound.
   • Pat dry with a sterile gauze or clean towel.

4. Apply an antibiotic ointment
   • Promotes healing and lowers infection risk.
   • Cover with a sterile dressing.

5. Elevate the injured area
   • Keeps swelling down.
   • Especially important for arms and legs.

Note: Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after wound care.

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When to Seek Medical Attention

Not all dog bites require stitches, but every bite needs evaluation. Head to an emergency department or urgent care if you notice:

• Deep puncture wounds
• Bleeding that won’t stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
• Wounds on the face, hands, feet or genitals (risk of functional damage or scarring)
• Signs of infection such as redness expanding beyond the wound edges, warmth, pus, or red streaks
• Bone, tendon or joint exposure
• Crushing injuries or severe swelling
• Bites in people with weakened immunity (diabetes, cancer, HIV)
• Unknown vaccination status of the dog (rabies risk)

If you have any doubt, it’s safer to have a professional assess the injury.

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Stitches: Indications and Considerations

Suturing (stitching) is not automatic. In fact, dog bites carry a high infection risk, and closing an infected wound can worsen outcomes. Your healthcare provider will weigh:

• Wound depth and width
  • Gaping, deep cuts often need stitches to promote proper healing.
  • Superficial scratches usually heal with dressings alone.
• Time since injury
  • Ideally within 6–8 hours—beyond that, infection risk rises.
• Location
  • Facial wounds often get sutured for cosmetic reasons.
  • Hands and feet may be left open to drain.
• Presence of contamination
  • Dirt, saliva or debris may require careful cleaning or even delayed closure.
• Bleeding control
  • If bleeding persists despite pressure, stitches or other surgical measures may be needed.

Alternative closure methods include skin adhesives (medical glue) or staples. Your provider will choose based on wound characteristics and infection risk.

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Infection Prevention and Follow-Up

Dog mouths carry bacteria—Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and others—so preventing infection is critical.

• Antibiotic prophylaxis
  • Often recommended for deep, hand, foot or face bites.
  • Amoxicillin-clavulanate is the usual first choice.
• Tetanus protection
  • Ensure your tetanus shot is up to date (within 5 years for a dirty wound).
• Daily wound checks
  • Re-dress and inspect the site for increased redness, swelling or discharge.
• Elevate and rest
  • Keep the injured area raised and avoid strenuous use until healing advances.
• Follow doctor’s orders
  • Complete the full antibiotic course.
  • Return for suture removal (usually 5–14 days, depending on location).

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Rabies Considerations

Even vaccinated dogs can occasionally carry rabies. To assess risk:

• Confirm the dog’s vaccination and health status.
• Observe the animal for 10 days if it’s available and safe to do so.
• If the dog can’t be found or shows signs of rabies (drooling, aggression, paralysis), seek immediate evaluation for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so err on the side of caution.

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When to Consider a Free, Online Symptom Check

If you’re unsure about the severity of your dog bite or notice new symptoms—fever, spreading redness, unusual pain—consider a free, online symptom check, using the doctor approved Ubie Symptom Checker. It can help you decide if you need to seek urgent care or schedule a doctor’s visit.

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Key Takeaways

• Act quickly: wash, apply pressure, dress the wound.
• Seek medical attention for deep, bleeding, infected or high-risk bites.
• Stitches may be needed for deep, wide or facial wounds—your doctor decides.
• Prevent infection with antibiotics and updated tetanus shots.
• Assess rabies risk based on the dog’s status and local guidelines.
• Monitor the wound daily and follow up as directed.

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Speak to a doctor about any dog bite that’s deep, bleeding heavily, or shows signs of infection. If you experience serious symptoms—shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, severe pain—get emergency care immediately. Your health and safety are too important to delay.