My dog was bitten by another dog at the park. Should I go to the vet?

Hi! I am so sorry to hear that Roscoe is injured! The wound appears to be inflamed and as dog bites or any deep wound often become infected. I recommend taking him to your vet in the next 24 hours, sooner if he seems to feel poorly or if he has other wounds. They will likely clip the hair, clean the wound and see how extensive it is. If they think it necessary, they will recommend antibiotics and/or pain/swelling medication. Keep an eye on it after you visit to ensure it heals appropriately and he does not lick at it. I hope this is helpful and he feels better soon!

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!

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.

Oh, poor Ellie. Yes, I do think she should be seen by an emergency veterinarian. Most bite wounds will get infected, so much better to prevent it then having her get sick. Also, I am solute that she wound be much more comfortable with some pain medications. Speaking from experience, bite wounds hurt and even more so the day after! Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I highly recommend that you have both of your pups evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. These wounds can get infected very easily. Also, it is crucial to check if any of these wounds need further local therapy such as stitches. Your veterinarian could also start pain medications as usually lacerations like that are painful. Good luck and have a good day!

I am sorry to hear about your dog! I would recommend bringing him in to his vet to examine the wound if it is not improving. It probably needs to be shaved and cleaned (I cannot see the actual wound in the photo so assume it is covered in fur and the wet area on the cheek). Often bites are puncture wounds and are deep and sometimes do require antibiotics to treat infection.