Dog bite

Danger

Dog packs instinctually attack and kill humans - within seconds. Hunger is NOT the cause, neither is provocation (evident from videos and live observation).

Other collections: TW.

First aid

  • Do not pinch, do not rub, do not disturb the wound. Suturing the wound is contraproductive! Pushes the virus, if present, deeper in the wound. Bleeding controlled via compression.
  • Do not apply chilly/ghee/mud/milk/turmeric or basically anything on the wound. You need to avoid tetanus and rabies
  • Wash the wound thoroughly under tap water (for 2 hours some say) with copious amounts of soaps. Rabies virus (and, those of its Lyssavirus genus) are sensitive to soap.

Wound curing

  • Rabies Immunoglobulin is given IV/Intra wound, and might be not given if wound is not severe/dog is vaccinated/region of wound is away from head.
  • Tetanus toxoid

Prevention

Dispersing packs

  • Got rid of a pack from our street by chasing them away with loud noice and fearsome stick multiple times. Message should be clear, and it should be reinforced as needed.

Confrontation

  • Procedure is simple - dog has one and only one weapon (mouth) - just put something between it and your body.
    • In some areas of Delhi, it is standard procedure for adults going on walks to carry a stick- specifically to deal with dogs.
    • I always go out with an umbrella.
  • Also good to have a very loud shocking shout when needed (once I scared a couple of dogs off my son using just my voice). Works against humans too.