Infected Bite on Dog
Answered by: Kerry Hackett
Question from: Nadine
Posted on: November 02, 2007

My male lab was recently bitten by my neighbors pitt bull. I noticed this morning that an infection has set in. What can I give him?

Unfortunately you haven’t provided enough information to answer this question in anything but a general fashion. Data such as: where was the original bite? Did the wound bleed or was the damage done below the skin? How large is the infected area? What does it look like? Is it exuding infective material (pus) and what does it look like? Is the dog interested in eating? Does it have any energy or is he listless? Does he have a fever? What have you done to treat it thus far? All of this information is vital in determining the best possible course. It may be that your dog needs to visit the veterinarian where the external infection may be treated or if the infection has built up under the skin (abscess) the area will be lanced and drained. In either case your dog will be given antibiotics and, again depending on the extent of the problem, may need to stay at the vet’s overnight.

Should you decide you would like to treat the condition in a complementary fashion, again it would depend on the extent/type of the wound. External infections can be rinsed with a strong tea made up of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) herb/flowers: one handful herb to two cups boiling water. Let steep, covered until lukewarm, strain and bathe the area three to four times a day. In addition, give homeopathic Ledum 30C, five pellets every two hours for three doses in total.

If the wound have become an abscess, again, bathe the area with St. John’s Wort tea (as above) and give homeopathic Silicea 30C; two pellets every four hours for a total of three doses. This should help open the abscess and allow it to drain. Continue to flush the abscess with the St. John’s Wort tea until all evidence of infective material has gone. Once the drainage is complete, the area may be bathed with Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flowers made as a tea in the same proportions and fashion as described for the St. John’s Wort above.

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