Dog Bite Infection Symptoms

According to Met Pet, symptoms of infection from a dog bite occur within 12 to 24 hours of a bite. If another dog has bitten your dog, it is important to take him to the veterinarian for examination. A wound infection from the bite of another dog can be damaging to your pet, and identifying the symptoms allows you to take action quickly.

  1. Swelling

    • The area around the wound may be red and swollen. The swelling is a sign of inflamed tissue, where the dog's body is trying to fight off infection. Take your dog to the veterinarian if the swelling persists.

    Heat Around the Wound

    • If there is an infection present, the dog's body typically tries to eradicate it through heat. Warmth or heat around the wound means he is trying to kill off any invading infections. Similarly, a dog with an infection from a bite wound may also have a higher body temperature.

    Pain

    • Infections will cause the wound to ache, and the dog will be in pain. If your dog does not want the area handled or if it spends time licking the wound or favoring the area where the bite is, infection may be present.

    Lack of Appetite

    • An infection can sap a dog's energy to the point where she is uninterested in food. If a good eater ends up avoiding her food dish or eating a fraction of what she did before, it is time to contact a veterinarian.

    Drainage

    • According to Vet Info, the wound may seep fluid or pus. Even after the wound has stopped bleeding, it may continually produce liquid discharge. There may be a foul odor that accompanies this discharge. If the bite wound is continuing to drain, this is a sign that an infection is present.

    Depression

    • A dog dealing with an infection will act lethargic and depressed. He may lack interest in the things he enjoys, and may lack the energy for normal exercise.