Many
individuals view their dogs as a furry extension of their family;
it's only natural that you want to do everything in your power to
keep your pooch healthy. Unfortunately, sometimes incidents occur
that are outside of our control, like an animal or dog attack.
If
another pet or wild animal bites or attacks your dog, you should know
what steps to take to get your pup on the path to recovery or even
save their life. Here are a few things you need to do if another
animal attacks your dog.
1.
Get the Other Animal Away From Your Dog
The
first thing you need to do is get the other animal away from your dog
so that you can safely assess your dog's condition. However, it's
important to break up the altercation without putting yourself at
risk.
Avoid
grabbing the attacking animal by the neck or head when you're trying
to separate it from your dog; this puts you at risk of being attacked
or bitten. Instead, try to stop the attack by distracting the
animals.
You
might bang a shovel or rake so that it makes a loud noise and
attracts the attention of the other animal. Look around a long
object, like a board or even a thick tree branch, that you can place
between the animal and your dog to stop the fight. If there's a water
hose nearby, you can try to spray the animal to stop their attack.
If
you can't get the other animal off your dog, or if you're concerned
that your dog is in immediate danger, you can try to physically stop
the attack by quickly pulling on the animal's haunches or rear.
Another option is to use a chemical deterrent, like pepper spray or
even bug spray, to stop the altercation. Walk or gently carry your
dog away from the animal.
2.
Tend to Your Dog's Wounds and Seek Medical Attention
Once
your dog is away from the other animal, you can better determine what
injuries your dog suffered due to the attack. The severity of
injuries caused by an animal attack can vary dramatically depending
on the details of the incident.
If
your dog suffered severe injuries, such as large, gaping wounds that
reveal the internal organs or muscles, wrap your dog in a towel or
blanket and seek veterinarian attention immediately. Should you find
yourself struggling to move your dog due to their weight, you can
position a blanket or sheet underneath them so that it creates a
makeshift stretcher.
Apply
firm pressure with a clean towel to any areas on your dog that are
still bleeding. Even if your dog seems like they're okay, or
they only have a small wound, you should take them to the vet as soon
as possible.
Bite
wounds have a high probability of infection, and your dog may have
additional scratches or injuries that you can't see due to their fur.
Animal bites can also cause internal bleeding or nerve damage that
isn't readily apparent.
3.
Gather Proof That Your Dog is Current on Their Rabies Vaccination
As
soon as you can, gather documentation that your dog is up to date on
their rabies vaccination. If you've lost or misplaced their rabies
certificate, you can likely obtain an additional copy by contacting
the vet who administered the vaccination.
If
your dog's rabies vaccination has lapsed and you don't know if the
animal that attacked your dog was rabid, be prepared to quarantine
your dog. Quarantine is necessary to ensure that your dog didn't
contract rabies during the attack. Some towns even require
unvaccinated pets to be quarantined for a specified period after a
bite from an animal whose rabies status is unknown.
Has
your dog been attacked or hurt? Is your dog overdue for a
checkup? Contact
Angel
Pet Hospital today to schedule an appointment.
