Should you put Neosporin on a dog bite? Tips and Tricks

Treating a Severe Dog Bite

Question Some people say you need to take 21 shots after a dog bite. Is this true? Chris M. Matsko, MD Family Medicine Physician Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017. Chris M. Matsko, MD Family Medicine Physician Expert Answer The rabies vaccination is given in three doses as follows: the first dose at the time of the bite, the second dose seven days after the first dose, and the third dose 21 – 28 days after the second dose.

Question Do I have to see the doctor again after recovery? Chris M. Matsko, MD Family Medicine Physician Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017. Chris M. Matsko, MD Family Medicine Physician Expert Answer No, once you are done with the antibiotic course you can go on with your life as usual.

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When Is a Pet Bite Worth a Trip to the Doctor?Some wounds from pets can be treated at home, but others should be seen by a professional.

Even a loved pet can attack when frightened or if grabbed while fighting with another animal.

A surface wound such as a scratch can generally be treated at home by rinsing the area with water and applying an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin.

But any puncture wound should be seen by a doctor. Cat bites are less frequent than dog bites, but cat teeth are sharper and carry a higher risk of infection.

Puncture wounds are difficult to clean completely, and bacteria can become sealed inside as the wound heals, leading to infection.

That’s what happened to Dawn Bothun. Her cat “Binks” thought he was protecting the family Pomeranian from a pit bull. In fact, the two dogs were just playing, but Binks leapt to the Pomeranian’s defense. When Dawn reached in, the cat struck.

“Four deep punctures,” Dawn said. It hurt, but she thought, “it’ll heal. No big deal.”

It turned out to be a very big deal. A week later her entire arm was swollen and red. She went to her doctor who sent her straight to the emergency room at the Mayo Clinic.

Dawn needed intravenous antibiotics and seven surgeries to remove the infection.

“It was scary,” Dawn remembers. “I cried every night before surgery.”

Injuries to hands and joints should also be seen by a doctor, as well as any wound that results in serious bleeding, numbness, or loss of function.

Rabies is very rare among cats and dogs in the U.S., but a bite from a wild animal such as a skunk, raccoon, or bat should be seen by a doctor.

Depending on the seriousness of a dog bite wound, there are certain things that you should do to prevent infection. Here are seven steps we recommend you to take if you were bitten by a dog:

Even though it is possible to provide first aid at home, it is still recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible. Seeing a doctor is especially important for deep wounds, or if you noticed signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, pus, warmth, and others. If you were bitten by an unfamiliar dog or you cannot stop bleeding, we highly recommend you to go to one of the clinics open 24 hours that specializes in emergency medicine.

What should you do if you were bitten by a dog: You will discover 7 essential steps for dog bite treatment in this article.

Even though dogs are considered our best friends, they are still animals that can bite. According to the statistics, canines bite about 4.7 million Americans every year, including children aged 5-9. One of five bites is so serious that it requires medical attention.

Pay close attention to the dog bite as it heals. Since dogs have a lot of bacteria in their saliva, there is a high risk of infection, especially if your immune system is not strong enough. If you notice swelling or redness, or you have a fever and feel weak, you should see a doctor.

Is Neosporin Safe for Dogs? How to Heal a Basic Wound on your Dog?

If you get a cut or scrape, its normal to reach for a tube of Neosporin to help you heal. This may lead you to do the same if your dog has a minor wound. But is Neosporin safe for dogs? And can you use other antibiotic topicals on your pup? The answer is maybe—it really depends on a few factors.

Neosporin is the brand name of a line of topical antibiotic wound care products. These products are intended to treat minor, superficial wounds like cuts and scrapes. You may be most familiar with the original Neosporin ointment, which contains three topical antibiotics in a petroleum base:

The topical antibiotics in Neosporin work together to prevent infection, while the base ointment or cream moisturizes the wound to promote healing. Some Neosporin products also contain a topical anesthetic called pramoxine that can reduce pain and itching. Most formulas are also available as topical creams.

You can usually find generic antibiotic ointments or creams with the same or similar ingredients—these may be called “triple antibiotic” ointments or creams. Neosporin and its generic counterparts are available over-the-counter and labeled for use in humans.