If a dog attacks you, you might be concerned about how long it will take the dog bite to heal. It is advised to seek medical attention right away whether or not the dog bite caused your skin to be broken.
Your injury’s severity, whether you require rabies shots, and the medication and therapy you’ll need to recover will all be determined by a doctor. In New Hampshire, if a dog bit you, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your damages and losses.
To discuss the specifics of your case and determine whether you can seek compensation from the owner of the dog that bit you, speak with a Manchester dog bite attorney.
One in four dog bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control, requires medical attention. A dog bite will typically recover within 10 to 14 days of the attack. However, serious dog bites may take longer to heal.
If the dog bite was severe enough, you might need medical care, such as stitches or even surgery, to recover fully. As the bite heals from a dog bite, do not delay in seeing a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Even though these symptoms might be a normal part of the healing process, especially in the days following the dog bite incident, it is best to get a second opinion to be safe. If you have reason to believe the dog that bit you had rabies, seek medical attention.
You should speak with a knowledgeable attorney to discuss your options for compensation as your dog bite injury heals. Dog bite victims in New Hampshire are entitled to compensation even if the dog had no prior history of viciousness, aggression, or attacks.
In contrast to other states that adhere to the “one free bite” policy, New Hampshire places strict liability on dog owners. N. H. Rev. Stat. According to Ann 466:19, people who have been bitten by dogs can sue the dog’s keep or owner for any losses or damages they suffer as a result of the attack.
In other words, you don’t have to show that the dog’s owner was careless or neglected to control the animal to stop the bite. The strict liability law in New Hampshire has some exceptions, such as when the injured party was trespassing, breaking the law, or engaging in other wrongdoing at the time of the incident.
If your compensation claim is approved, you may pursue restitution for the following losses and damages brought on by the dog bite injury:
Your recovery will be based on a number of variables, such as the extent of your injuries and the length of time it will take for your dog bite to heal. Find out what kinds of damages are available in your case by speaking with our lawyers at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC. Call 603-624-7200.
What should you do if a dog bites you?
To avoid further attack and harm, you should leave the area where the dog bit you or the person you were with and go somewhere safe. Infants and children should be evaluated after any dog bite.
Before seeking medical attention, it may be reasonable to wait for infection symptoms (pain, redness, warmth, swelling, and drainage of pus or fluid) if there are no visible signs of skin damage or only a minor amount of abrasion following a dog bite.
If at all possible, try to clean the dog bite with tap water while keeping the wounds elevated.
If possible, inquire the dog’s owner about the animal’s rabies vaccination history; however, if this is not possible, medical facilities, animal control facilities, or law enforcement personnel can assist in gathering the necessary data.
Dog bites can result in serious damage beneath the skin, an injury that is not always immediately visible. Additionally, call your doctor or head to the closest urgent care or emergency department if there is pain at or near the dog bite because underlying tissues and other structures may have been harmed or if the bite disrupts the skin and causes a puncture, laceration, or tear.
What sort of treatment will be given to my dog?
Based on the severity of the wounds, your dog’s overall health, and their location, your veterinarian will decide what kind of treatment is required. The aim of treatment is to lessen the severity of any developing infection. Cleaning the wounds, removing any dead or seriously damaged tissue, and possibly performing surgery to close the wounds if necessary will accomplish this.
Antibiotics may be prescribed for wounds that have penetrated the skin depending on the location of the wound and the duration between bite time and presentation to your veterinarian. For minor injuries, or for wounds that must be left open to heal, your veterinarian may prescribe a topical antibiotic. If there is any doubt about skin penetration, your veterinarian may prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, or for more complicated cases, enrofloxacin; brand name Baytril®) to lessen the chance that a serious infection will develop. The sooner antibiotics are begun after a bite injury the quicker the infection will be brought under control. Wounds that are treated within 6 hours of the injury have the best chance of healing without complications.
Before attempting to assess the extent of the injuries, it is more humane to administer your animal some type of painkiller, sedative, or anesthetic as most wounds are painful. After that, your veterinarian will trim the fur from the skin around the wounds to reduce the chance of further contamination and flush the wounds to remove any debris and contaminants. Your dog will need to undergo a general anesthetic in order to treat and clean an extensive wound, a wound that is highly contaminated, or a wound that is in a sensitive area of the body (like close to the eyes, mouth, or ears). More painkillers, usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like meloxicam (Rheumocam®, Metacam®), deracoxib (Deramaxx®), or carprofen (Rimadyl®), will be sent home.
Usually, small puncture wounds are left open to allow any infection to drain out. If there is a chance that fluid will accumulate in the area or if the damage is severe, lacerations will be stitched up and temporary drains may be installed. The majority of lacerations are debrided (all infected or compromised skin tissue is removed, and the laceration’s edges are trimmed). Skin wounds are frequently made larger to allow for a thorough examination and cleaning of the underlying tissues.
To identify the type of bacteria involved and the best antibiotics to treat these bacteria, experts advise performing bacterial culture and sensitivity tests. Your veterinarian might not perform these tests, however, unless your pet’s wounds fail to respond as expected to initial broad spectrum antibiotic treatment because it takes a few days for the test results to be ready.
Does my dog need to be seen by the veterinarian after it has been in a fight?
Determining the severity of a dog’s wounds after a fight can occasionally be difficult, especially if the wounds are in areas of the body with thick fur. Canine tooth punctures are small, quickly heal, and are easily overlooked.
So, if your dog got into a fight with another animal, you should take him to the vet as soon as you can for a checkup. Seek immediate veterinary attention if you can see clear bite wounds. Depending on where the injury is, even wounds that initially appear to be minor can be dangerous and even pose a threat to life.
FAQ
How long does it take for a dog bite to heal?
A dog bite will typically recover within 10 to 14 days of the attack. However, serious dog bites may take longer to heal. If the dog bite was severe enough, you might need medical care, such as stitches or even surgery, to recover fully.
Can a dog bite go untreated?
Risks of Infection Following a Dog Bite According to the Academy of Pediatrics, between 10 and 15 percent of dog bites result in infection. Dog bites that are not properly cleaned up after and treated by a doctor run a higher risk of becoming infected and potentially spreading bacteria to other people.
Do dog bite wounds heal on their own?
You must tend to the wound as best you can and monitor it as it recovers. In most cases, a dog bite will be nearly fully healed within 10 days of the animal attack. However, it will take longer and require initial medical care, such as stitches, for deeper bites.
What to do if your dog bites you and breaks the skin?
- Using a clean, dry cloth, apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
- Wash the wound. …
- Apply an antibacterial ointment to the wound. …
- Put on a dry, sterile bandage.
- Call your provider right away if the bite is on your neck, head, face, hand, fingers, or feet.