There are many different types of dog bites from a small scratch to one that can break the skin. The dog bites that break through the skin are the most serious and need to be monitored and treated accordingly to avoid infections of many different types and rabies. Of course most household pets have been immunized against rabies, but when you are bitten by a dog, strange or known, you can not risk assuming that the dog does not have rabies. Not only is rabies a big concern, but tetanus also needs to be considered. Clostridium tetani is the microbe that causes tetanus and it easily infects wounds, especially puncture wounds such as a dog bite.

Children are the ones who are at the most severe risk of dog bites and most commonly children under the age of five years old. Children at this age do not understand the difference between a friendly dog and a dog to avoid and many times they are attacked so severely that hospitalization is required. For a young child, a dog bite can be life threatening because it does not take long for the infection or rabies molecule to travel through the blood stream and affect their nervous system.

When it comes to dog bites, there are many different healing remedies that can be carried out from your own home. Depending on the severity of the bite you may want to consider visiting the hospital as well to confirm no rabies or infection exists in the wound.

The following dosages are recommended for adults. For children between the ages of twelve and seventeen, use three-quarters of the recommended amount. For children between six and twelve years of age, use one-half the recommended amount and for children under six years of age, use only one-quarter of the recommended dosage.

• In regards to supplements Vitamin C with bioflavonoids is perhaps the most essential for healing and treating all levels of dog bites. Vitamin C has the ability to fight infection and repair damage to skin tissue. 4,000-10,000 mg should be consumed daily for a period of one week. Then the dosage should be adjusted to 3,000 mg per day.
  
  
• Garlic is a natural antibiotic that should always be kept in the home as it can help treat and repair a number of different infections or wounds through simple daily dosages. Use Kyolic from Wakunaga od America and take 2 capsules 3 times daily.
  
  
• Herbs are another option and you can find herbs anywhere natural health remedies are sold today, on or offline. Echinacea and goldenseal can be taken in the form of tea and are both natural antibiotics that help avoid dangerous infections from puncture wounds such as this.
  
  
• Goldenseal can also be applied as a topical treatment directly on the wound or in collaboration with tea digestion. There is a warning used in regards to goldenseal, do not use it on a daily basis for more than one week at a time and shouldn't be used is pregnant.

In most cases when a dog bite is reported, the dog must then be kept under watch for signs of rabies for a number of days to follow. This is a regular precaution to make sure that the victim has no chance of contracting this disease in the future.

If you choose to visit your physician for treatment you will find that they will prescribe you an oral antibiotic as well as a tetanus booster if your immune records are not up to date. Remember, antibiotics will destroy the “friendly” bacteria so be sure to supplement with acidophilus to ensure the good bacteria is replaced. Always inform your physician of any supplements or herbs you may have taken to combat infection in your dog bite.