Dog got small bite from another dog, what to do, costs?

11417 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by frankyk, Jun 11, 2009

frankyk

Discussion Starter · Jun 8, 2009

My dog got off leash today (broke the cord) and ran into another dog who she began to harass by sniffing and stuff, the other dog who was with her owner on a leash, got annoyed and bit my dog, a small bite but still it punctured slightly.

My questions are:
1. The bite wound is like a very small puncture, she probably got a tooth in it a little bit, there is a little blood, not much else, my dog doesn't flinch or anything when I touch it, so it's very minor. I've cleaned it with Hydrogen Peroxide, is this adequate? I was told that if it doesn't get swollen or anything, I should be okay and I won't need a vet, thoughts? Also, my dog already is current on all vaccinations, including rabies.
2. Because my dog was off leash when she found the other dog and the other dog was leashed, who is responsible for any possible medical treatment? Let's say, I did need medical treatment for dog, would the other dog's owner be responsible or would I be responsible because she got off leash?

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HORSEandHOUND

· #2 · Jun 8, 2009

1. your assumptions are correct. keep it clean and if it's deep you'll want to keep it open. flushing with a solution of betadine and saline is best. Hydrogen peroxide can actually impede new tissue growth (good for the first few days, but that's it)
2. you are at fault, i'd just chalk it up to a learning experience.

jesirose

· #3 · Jun 8, 2009

I'm guessing it was a flexi lead?

Keep it clean, and don't bother them about anything.

alphadoginthehouse

· #4 · Jun 8, 2009

You might want to check with your vet. I think mine told me to use an antibiotic cream on a sore that Roxxy had but I'm getting older so I can't really remember

. And, yep, H&H is correct about medical bills.

RRM_Mom08

· #5 · Jun 8, 2009

What is the leash law in your area ??? If dogs are required by law to be leashed then you are responsible for the damages to your dog (and any that could have happened to that dog or the owner)

Do not use HP to clean the wound always use Iodine solution to clean wounds in animals and kids.Believe me I learned this the hard way and was told buy my vet afterwards always Iodine solution

(BTW the generic kind at walmart works great and is pretty cheap)

JohnnyBandit

· #6 · Jun 8, 2009

frankyk said:
My dog got off leash today (broke the cord) and ran into another dog who she began to harass by sniffing and stuff, the other dog who was with her owner on a leash, got annoyed and bit my dog, a small bite but still it punctured slightly.

My questions are:
1. The bite wound is like a very small puncture, she probably got a tooth in it a little bit, there is a little blood, not much else, my dog doesn't flinch or anything when I touch it, so it's very minor. I've cleaned it with Hydrogen Peroxide, is this adequate? I was told that if it doesn't get swollen or anything, I should be okay and I won't need a vet, thoughts? Also, my dog already is current on all vaccinations, including rabies.
2. Because my dog was off leash when she found the other dog and the other dog was leashed, who is responsible for any possible medical treatment? Let's say, I did need medical treatment for dog, would the other dog's owner be responsible or would I be responsible because she got off leash?

Your at fault. Not a big deal really. No one was hurt seriously. Learn from the experience.

I wouldn't do anything other than clean the puncture wound and leave it at that. The dog is probably going to lick at it. I wouldn't worry about that either. As long as the dog is otherwise healthy it should heal up on its own. Just watch for deep redness, puss, and swelling.

TooneyDogs

· #7 · Jun 8, 2009

You might want to pick up a pet first aid kit which is really handy for the usual scrapes and cuts. The basic kits contain Provodone-Iodine, triple antibiotic salve, eye wash, bandages, tweezers, etc.

GSDGAL

· #8 · Jun 8, 2009

just clean it and leave it.

and it would be silly and petty to go after them for vet treatment.

you are fault, unless it was an offleash dog park or beach...

sucks i know

Spicy1_VV

· #9 · Jun 8, 2009

1. The bite wound is like a very small puncture, she probably got a tooth in it a little bit, there is a little blood, not much else, my dog doesn't flinch or anything when I touch it, so it's very minor. I've cleaned it with Hydrogen Peroxide, is this adequate? I was told that if it doesn't get swollen or anything, I should be okay and I won't need a vet, thoughts? Also, my dog already is current on all vaccinations, including rabies.

I don't use peroxide on wounds since it causes some damage. I would have used betadine. It will probably be mostly healed up in a few days from the sounds of it. These things don't really require vet treatment. It'd be like going to the dr every time you got a cut or scrape.

2. Because my dog was off leash when she found the other dog and the other dog was leashed, who is responsible for any possible medical treatment? Let's say, I did need medical treatment for dog, would the other dog's owner be responsible or would I be responsible because she got off leash?

There shouldn't be any vet cost (from the sounds of it, though none of us can judge it and if the wound were to look worse and not better you would then need to take your dog in to the vet).......but if so you would probably be responsible yourself. You'd have to check your area but most places have a leash law and if an incident occurs the owner with the leashed dog isn't at fault. If there isn't a leash law, since your dog was running loose in court you'd probably lose for cost because yours is the one that got free and went to the other dog even though the other dog is the biter. Though it depends on your laws and the judge.

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ILuvLucy

· #10 · Jun 8, 2009

frankyk said:
1. The bite wound is like a very small puncture, she probably got a tooth in it a little bit, there is a little blood, not much else, my dog doesn't flinch or anything when I touch it, so it's very minor. I've cleaned it with Hydrogen Peroxide, is this adequate? I was told that if it doesn't get swollen or anything, I should be okay and I won't need a vet, thoughts? Also, my dog already is current on all vaccinations, including rabies.
2

I brought my dog, Lily, to the vet for a torn nail one day. She also happened to have a very small wound on her head from a squabble my two dogs got in that morning. It was small, but did bleed. On her head about an inch above her eye.
My vet was more concerned about the head wound than the torn nail. I think because he was worried about infection. (the wound was not something I probably would've brought her to the vet for though).
Anyway, he cleaned it out and gave me an ointment called Malotic, which is an antibiotic/pain reliever.
I was supposed to put it on twice a day for 7 days.
Like I said, to me, it seemed a very small thing! And, it turned out to be small. It healed so fast, that there was really nothing to put the ointment on after a day or two.
So, if I were you, I'd clean it out good - once. Then get something like Neosporin to use on it twice a day. But, go to the vet if it becomes puffy, or otherwise seems infected.

frankyk

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 9, 2009

the wound is doing better, it's not bleeding or anything, it's just kinda starting to scab or something.

i noticed my dog keeps licking it... is this okay?

also, i'm going to put iodine solution on it, if she licks this, she won't get sick right?

Spicy1_VV

· #12 · Jun 9, 2009

Licking can prolong the healing process, also lead to infection. I know it's a pain dealing with it.

frankyk

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 11, 2009

alright so it's day 2 and she's been licking her wound a lot more. basically at this point, i looked at the wound and it's like a small fang punctured the skin and it's just kinda black and nothing else. she's basically licked it clean and there is nothing around it but the hole and that's it.

so at this point, do you recommend i use any solutions or anything or it seems to be healing and she's just licking it to clean the residue or something on the side?

Independent George

· #14 · Jun 11, 2009

You've got to keep her from licking the scab. She's not cleaning it - she's slathering it with bacteria. Licking makes a wound cleaner when a dog is living in a village garbage dump; it makes it worse when living as a pet in an already clean house.

frankyk

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 11, 2009

Independent George said:
You've got to keep her from licking the scab. She's not cleaning it - she's slathering it with bacteria. Licking makes a wound cleaner when a dog is living in a village garbage dump; it makes it worse when living as a pet in an already clean house.

bandaid?

cone of shame (anyone watch "UP"), i.e. the e-collar? i think that might work actually? thoughts?

if i prevent her from licking it, do i need to apply anything else, or just let it heal through it's natural course, no intervention?

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