Whether you encounter a wild animal while out for a walk or hike, or one gets in your yard or home, wild animal bites can be very dangerous to pets. You should gather as much information as you can to prepare for an emergency situation between a wild animal and your pet, so you can maintain your pet’s safety. Here’s a look at what to do if your pet is bitten by another animal:
Take Your Dog to an Empty Room and Assess Injuries
Get your dog away from the animal as quickly and safely as possible. Throw objects, spray the animal with pepper spray, mace, or water, or put large objects like a table or chairs in between you and your dog and the wild animal. Then get your dog in a safe, enclosed, clean room to assess his injuries.
Render Emergency First Aid if Necessary
Before taking your dog to the veterinarian, render emergency first aid if necessary. Use gauze or a clean cloth to apply pressure to any wounds to stop the bleeding. If your dog is bitten by a venomous animal, such as a snake, do not attempt to cut or bleed the venom out, as this can cause further injuries.
Take Your Dog to the Veterinarian or Emergency Animal Hospital
Because animal bites have such a high risk of infection, it’s crucial to take your pet to the veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. The veterinarian will clean, disinfect, and dress the wound to reduce the risk of infection. He may also recommend vaccination or administer antivenom, if necessary.
Call Animal Control
Once your pet is stabilized, you must contact your local animal control office to report the bite. The wild animal might be sick or rabid and you can prevent it from attacking someone else or another pet by reporting the incident right away. Provide as much info as you can about the type of animal, its behavior, the location, and anything else they ask.
Because animal bites are so dangerous, you should not try to treat your pet at home. Take him to your closest veterinary hospital or emergency animal hospital right away.