My dog was bitten under the jaw. Does she need a vet or penicillin?

Unfortunately, it is illegal for the experts at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to prescribe any drugs without seeing the animal in person first. In order to have antibiotics recommended and prescribed, Sandy will have to see a vet.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm so sorry to hear about Darby, I can imagine that was very scary for both of you! I would recommend having Darby seen by a veterinarian as soon as you can. Dog bite wounds can be very extensive, beyond what you can see on the surface. There can be significant soft tissue injury that you cannot see, and a wound that looks like a small puncture can actually have deep pocketing and tissue damage. Also, dog bite wounds are very prone to becoming infected, as the bacteria in a dog's mouth can infect your dog's skin and prevent the wounds from healing. Your veterinarian will likely want to sedate Darby so he/she can clip the hair around the wounds and clean them out. Based on Darby's physical exam, your veterinarian may also recommend x-rays to look for evidence of other trauma, such as lung contusions (bruises) or fractures. Your veterinarian can also prescribe pain medications and antibiotics. As a reminder, NEVER give dogs pain medication which is intended for humans, as they can be fatally toxic to dogs. Darby may be scared of dogs for a little while after this event, which is to be expected. I hope this is helpful, and good luck with Darby!

Ouch! Poor Penelope! You can clean the wounds with diluted betadine. Add water until it is the color of weak tea. She may need antibiotics and pain medication though. These you'll need to get from your veterinarian after an exam. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have her examined anyway. Monitor for swelling, discharge, bleeding that won't stop or lethargy.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Leia. Poor girl! From the picture, it looks like there may be some tissue missing around her lip, and she may need stitches. I do think it's best you take her into a vet now to get this treated. I hope this helps!

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like the bite wound has become infected. Bite wounds typically require the attention of a veterinarian. If the wound is deep enough, it may require stitches and prescription antibiotics if it is infected. Depending on your local animal control and rabies laws, your puppy may need a rabies vaccine now and then a booster in 6 months. I would be sure to have Puppy seen by a veterinarian right away so he can have this wound evaluated.

Unfortunately, by law it is illegal for the experts at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to give the dose information for any drug without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for Bear. I do not recommend giving him any antibiotics for this infection unless specifically prescribed by a vet. You will need to take him into the vet to discuss using antibiotics. The vet cannot put him down without your permission, so that should not be a worry. Best of luck.

I'm sorry that Hank is injured. It would not be safe for you to give Hank an injection for a dog bite. He likely needs wound care and antibiotics that only a veterinarian can prescribe. He may also need pain medication and because there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs you will need to get a safe medication from a veterinarian. I recommend taking Hank to see your veterinarian as soon as possible so he can receive the appropriate care for his wound. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I hope Hank is on the mend soon.