A number of persons have messaged and asked what they must do after they have been bitten by a dog.
Here is a checklist from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) when a dog has bitten you:
1. If the dog has an owner and is around, ask for proof of rabies vaccination. Get the owner's name and contact information also.
2. Clean wound immediately with soap and water. (Editor’s note: It is best to use anti-bacterial soap.)
3. Go to your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room. Do not wait. A dog bite is an emergency. The human doctor will know what to do and will advice you.
4. Contact the dog's veterinarian to verify the dog’s vaccination record.
Here is a checklist from AVMA on what to when your dog bites someone:
1. Restrain the dog immediately.
2. Remove the dog from the scene of the bite incident.
3. Try to put your dog in a safe place.
4. Check the condition of the bite victim.
5. Wash the wounds with soap and water.
6. Urge the bite victim to seek medical help to check on the seriousness of the wound and the risk of rabies or other infections.
7. Call for assistance if a paramedic is needed asap.
8. Bring the victim to the hospital.
9. Provide important information about your dog and show the dog’s rabies vaccination record.
10. Give the bite victim – or others who are with the person at the time of the incident – your name, address, and phone number.
11. Please follow local rules and laws regarding reporting of dog bites.
12. Seek your veterinarian ’s advice about dog behavior that will help prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Dog bites are scary for everyone involved – the person who has been bitten, the dog owner and even the dog. If your dog happens to bite someone, remember that you are responsible to help the person who has been bitten and to remove your dog from the situation, “ AVMA said.
To avoid more problems and worry, PLEASE HAVE YOUR DOG VACCINATED WITH THE ANTI-RABIES SHOT YEARLY.
List of Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) in the National Capital Region
Referral hospitals
• Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Dr. Beatriz Quaimbao
• San Lazaro Hospital
Sta Cruz, Manila
Dr. Ferdinad De Guzman
DISTRICT I
• Patricia Health Center ABTC
Patricia Complex Benita Street Corner Flora Street Tondo I / I
• Calabash Health Center ABTC
2111 Soledad Extension, Barangay 534, Sampaloc Manila
DISTRICT II
• Mandaluyong City Health Office ABTC
DISTRICT III
• Makati Health Department
Makati City Hall, J.P. Rizal Avenue, Makati City
(02) 895-4001 local 604/606/607
• Mandaluyong Health Office
Boni Ave., Maysilo St., Mandaluyong City
(02) 534-0163
• San Juan Health Office Unit I
Municipal High School, Narciso St., San Juan City
(02) 744-0736
• Main Health Office
San Juan Unit II, P. Narciso St., Pinaglabanan, San Juan City
(02) 724-0271
• Manila Health Department
Division of Preventable Diseases, Manila City Hall
(02) 527-4941
DISTRICT IV
• Las Pinas Health Center
Pamplona III, Las Pinas City
(02) 871-3909/ 873-9145/ 872-3169
• Silverio Health Center
Parañaque City
(02) 826-9712
• Alabang Health Center
National Road, Putatan, Muntinlupa City
(02) 842-2560
• San Isidro Health Center
Domingo St., Pasay City
(02) 831-5275
List of Animal Bite Treatment Centers in the National Capital Region