Dog Bitten by Another Dog? What to Check Right Now

Dog bitten by another dog? Small punctures can hide deep damage. Check breathing, bleeding and gums first, then get the bite looked at by a vet today.

Go to an emergency vet now if bleeding will not stop, your dog is struggling to breathe, has a bite to the chest, belly or neck, has pale or blue gums, is weak or collapses, or is a small dog that was picked up and shaken.

If your dog was bitten by another dog and seems calm, with marks that look small, it is tempting to wait and see. Please don't. A dog bite wound can be far more serious than it looks from the outside, and getting it seen early matters. This guide walks you through what to check, what means go in right now, and where a video visit can and cannot help.

Dog bitten by another dog: why small punctures fool owners

It is easy to assume that no blood means a minor injury, but a bite with little or no blood can still hide deep damage. VCA Animal Hospitals notes: "Small puncture wounds from canine teeth can close over quickly and can easily be missed."

What you see on the skin is only part of the story. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that "because of the slashing nature of dog bite injuries, the major tissue damage is usually found beneath the surface of the wound."

The Merck Veterinary Manual also warns that "although only small puncture marks or bruising may be evident on the surface, ribs may be broken or internal organs seriously damaged."

VCA Animal Hospitals adds that "wounds that appear to be minor on the surface can be deceptive and may be life-threatening, depending on the location of the injury." That is why where the bite landed matters as much as how big it looks.

Emergency signs: go to an ER now

Some bites cannot wait for a phone call or a video check. VCA Animal Hospitals says, "There are certain signs that require immediate emergency treatment, including:"

• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Breathing difficulty
• Weakness
• Crying or whining
• Limping
• Pale or blue gums
• Collapse

Bites to the chest, belly or neck also go to the emergency room, even when the wound looks small. VCA explains that a dog's jaws can "penetrate through the chest wall and cause lung collapse," and that "wounds on the neck can easily injure vital structures."

A small dog that was picked up and shaken by a bigger dog also goes to the ER, even if it seems fine. You have no way to check for hidden injuries at home, so let an emergency team look your dog over.

If you are not sure whether what you are seeing counts, our practical pet emergency checklist walks through the warning signs. In New York City, see our guide to pet trauma emergencies in NYC.

If any of these signs apply, go to the nearest emergency vet now, and call ahead on the way if you can so the team is ready for you.

The first few minutes after a dog fight, safely

Your safety comes first. Never reach between fighting dogs.

Once the dogs are apart, remember that a dog in pain may bite, even the person it loves most. In its advice on cleaning a dog's bite wounds at home, VCA Animal Hospitals says, "It is advisable to use a muzzle on your dog, even if they are normally gentle." A towel wrapped loosely around your dog can also make handling safer. If your dog is having any trouble breathing, go straight to the emergency vet; breathing difficulty is on VCA's emergency list above.

Then work through these steps calmly:

1. Stop the bleeding. Press a clean cloth firmly and steadily on anything that is bleeding.
2. Find every wound. Gently part the fur on the neck, chest, belly and legs, and check under the collar. Punctures are easy to miss.
3. Take photos. Photograph each wound from a couple of angles in good light. Your veterinarian will want to see them, especially if a mark becomes harder to spot later.
4. Leave the wound alone. Do not put creams, ointments or cleaning products on it. VCA Animal Hospitals says, "Never use hydrogen peroxide to clean a bite wound unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian."
5. Keep things calm. Keep your dog quiet and calm until you can get to a vet.

Why most bites still need a vet today

If the bite broke the skin, get it looked at by a veterinarian today, even if your dog is acting normally. VCA Animal Hospitals is clear on this point: "All bite wounds are considered contaminated or infected."

A puncture that closes over on the surface can keep that contamination underneath. VCA Animal Hospitals says that "left untreated, the bacteria in an infected bite wound will cause a localized abscess or more generalized cellulitis (a tissue infection) that spreads through the surrounding area."

Timing helps, too. According to VCA, "Wounds treated within six hours of the injury have the best chance of healing without complications." Getting the wound seen early gives it the best chance to heal cleanly.

Cleaning, exploring and closing a bite wound are hands-on jobs. They need a veterinarian, the right equipment and your dog on the exam table, which is why a bite that broke the skin needs an in-person exam rather than home care.

The other dog and rabies

Rabies is the question to settle early. VCA Animal Hospitals advises, "Always make sure your pet's rabies vaccine is up-to-date in case a bite occurs." Have your own dog's vaccination record on hand, because it helps your veterinarian decide what to do next.

If it is safe to do so, ask the other dog's owner for two things:

• The other dog's vaccination status, including rabies
• The owner's name and contact details

If the other dog was a stray or you do not know who owns it, contact your local animal control or health department. Share whatever you learn with your veterinarian.

Watching the wounds over the next few days

Even after your dog has been seen, check the bite sites every day and follow your veterinarian's instructions for home care. Before you leave the clinic, ask what they want you to watch for with your dog's particular wounds.

You do not need to diagnose anything yourself. If a wound looks worse than it did, if something about it worries you, or if your dog seems unwell or not like themselves, have your dog seen by a vet in person again, promptly. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that an infected bite wound left untreated can lead to "a localized abscess or more generalized cellulitis," which is why a wound that is getting worse needs a hands-on exam.

If your dog starts limping, do not wait for a routine appointment. Limping is on VCA's list of signs that require immediate emergency treatment, so go to the emergency vet.

What a RexVet online vet can and cannot do after a dog fight

If any of the emergency signs above apply, go to the emergency room now rather than booking a video visit. For everything else, a video visit can help you figure out the right next step quickly.

A RexVet veterinarian can:

• Look at each wound with you on camera and in your photos
• Help you find punctures hidden in the fur
• Check your dog's gum color and breathing effort
• Help you decide whether your dog needs the emergency room tonight or an in-person clinic visit soon
• Recheck healing over the following days

A video vet cannot clip and clean a wound, explore it, place stitches or drains, or take X-rays; those need an in-person clinic. Most bites that break the skin need a veterinarian to examine them in person, and a video visit is a way to get there faster and better informed, not a replacement for that exam.

If the veterinarian decides medication is appropriate, they can prescribe where state rules allow. In Florida, a veterinarian who has seen your pet only by video may prescribe only FDA-approved animal drugs used as labeled, for up to 14 days (1 month for flea-and-tick-only products), and cannot renew without an in-person exam. (Source: Florida Statutes 474.2021.)

Before the call, it helps to have your photos ready. Our guide on how to upload pet photos and videos for an online vet review shows you how to share them.

If none of the emergency signs apply and you want a veterinarian to look at the bite with you now, book a RexVet video visit. A visit is $64.99, vets are available 24/7 including nights, weekends and holidays, and RexVet's veterinarians are licensed in Florida, New York and Virginia, so visits are for pet parents located in those states.

When to be seen in person in Florida, New York or Virginia

Plan on an in-person visit if any of these are true:

• Any emergency sign from the list above, including limping, which means the ER now
• Any bite that broke the skin
• Any wound that looks worse than it did, or a dog that seems unwell after the bite

A hands-on exam is the best way to find hidden damage early. If you are in South Florida, our page on pet trauma emergencies in Miami can help you find care. In the Richmond area, see pet trauma emergencies in Richmond.

Florida law also requires a telehealth veterinarian to give "the contact information for at least one physical veterinary clinic in the vicinity of the patient's location," so a video visit there should always point you to a nearby clinic.

To learn more about video care in your state, visit our pages for online vet care in Florida, online vet care in New York and online vet care in Virginia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a small puncture from a dog bite need a vet?

Yes. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that small puncture wounds from canine teeth can close over quickly and can easily be missed. A mark that looks tiny on the surface can sit over deeper damage, so have a veterinarian examine any bite that broke the skin.

Can I clean my dog's bite wound at home?

Press a clean cloth on anything that is bleeding, take photos and leave the rest to your veterinarian. Do not put creams, ointments or cleaning products on it, and VCA Animal Hospitals advises never to use hydrogen peroxide to clean a bite wound unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Your vet will decide how the wound should be cleaned.

Will my dog need medicine after a dog bite?

That is a decision for a veterinarian after examining your dog. If the veterinarian decides medication is appropriate, they can prescribe where state rules allow. Do not give your dog any medicine at home unless your veterinarian tells you to.

What should I ask the other dog's owner?

If it is safe, ask for the other dog's vaccination status, including rabies, and the owner's name and contact details. If the other dog was a stray or unknown, contact your local animal control or health department, and pass what you learn to your veterinarian.

What signs of infection should I watch for after a dog bite?

Your veterinarian is the best person to tell you what to watch for with your dog's wounds, so ask before you leave the clinic. Check the bite sites every day, and if a wound looks worse than it did or your dog seems unwell, have your dog seen in person again. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that an infected bite wound left untreated can lead to an abscess or cellulitis, and it lists limping among the signs that need emergency care.

If you are standing there thinking "my dog was attacked by another dog, what do I do now?", start with the emergency signs, and if none apply, get the bite checked today. If you would like a veterinarian's eyes on the wounds right now to help you decide between the ER and a clinic visit, book a video visit now. RexVet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, a visit is $64.99, vets are available 24/7, and RexVet's veterinarians are licensed in Florida, New York and Virginia.