It can happen while you’re playing with your dog, somewhere between growls and tail wags. Thosecanine teeth can bite or scratch. Alternatively, a stray dog that you don’t know could suddenly attack you as you’re walking down the street.
In either case, you must act quickly to treat the wound and lower the risk of infection. You’ll need professional medical attention the same day.
Dogs’ smaller teeth can also rip your skin, and their front teeth will grab and compress your tissue. The result is an open, jagged wound. According to emergency medicine specialist Stephen Sayles III, MD, the infection is frequently severe if the wound becomes infected.
“The No. 1concern with these bites is infection,” he says. “You mayneed hospitalization and require intravenous antibiotics. You shouldalways see a primary care provider if you’re bitten. ”.
In any case, he advises that you visit a doctor within eight hours of a dog bite. Waiting longer raises your infection risk. Your risk of contracting an infection is increased if you have diabetes or compromised immune system.
If you haven’t had a tetanus shot in ten years or aren’t sure when you last had one, you might need one. Tetanus is a bacterial infection of the nervous system that frequently results in death. Tetanus bacteria can enter the body through even a tiny pinprick, an animal scratch, splinters, bug bites, and even burns that break the skin, despite the fact that most people are aware that stepping on a rusty nail or puncture wound can result in a tetanus infection.
The possibility of a medical emergency following an animal bite can be frightening. Household pets are the most common animals to bite people in the United States, with dogs and cats being the most dangerous. Cat bites and scratches are especially prone to infection. Bites from people or animals have the potential to spread diseases like rabies. If it has been more than ten years since your last tetanus shot, you may need one. If you have been bitten and are unsure of when your last tetanus shot was, you should get one within 72 hours of the bite.
Apply immediate pressure to stop the bleeding if the bite leaves a deep puncture or if the skin is severely torn and bleeding. Seek immediate medical attention. Consult a doctor right away if you experience a fever or other infection-related symptoms like swelling, redness, pain, a foul smell, or fluid draining from the area.
Go to the emergency room or see your doctor right away if an animal bites you and acts strangely because the animal might have rabies. This is especially true for bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes. If it is safe to do so, try to capture the animal so that it can be tested for rabies, which, if untreated, can be fatal to humans. Put on gloves or use a shovel to transfer the animal into a plastic bag if it is already dead. Since rabies testing is done on the brain, avoid injuring the animal’s head and avoid freezing it. Bleach solution should be used to disinfect the area and any tools used to remove the animal. Some people choose not to receive treatment because they believe it will involve numerous painful abdominal shots. This used to be true, but there is now a simpler, less painful treatment.
Rabies can cause strange animal behavior, which typically includes an unprovoked attack. For instance, nocturnal (night) animals that are typically timid may be infected if they bite during the day. Rabies is rare in dogs, cats, rodents and plant-eating animals. Drooling, running in circles, appearing paralyzed, or displaying unusual or hostile behaviors are additional indicators of rabies in animals.
Continue Seeking Additional Medical Care as Needed
Follow your doctor’s recommendations if you require additional care due to complications from a dog bite. This is essential for both your wellbeing and your injury claim.
Attend crucial follow-up appointments, take prescribed medications, and receive any recommended tetanus boosters; otherwise, the other party might assert that you caused your injuries to worsen. Take the necessary precautions to safeguard the possible value of your settlement or award.
Why Seek Compensation After a Dog Bite?
A dog owner may be held liable if their pet bites someone and results in physical harm because they neglected to secure the animal. If this occurred to you, you might be eligible to file a claim for compensation to pay for your medical costs and other damages. Our law firm could help.
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we work on a contingency-fee-basis. With this kind of payment structure, we don’t need our clients to pay anything up front. Instead, we are paid a portion of the case’s final settlement as our fee.
FAQ
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.
What happens if you don’t get a tetanus shot after dog bite?
The possibility of contracting tetanus bacteria from a dog bite rises. Tetanus symptoms include: Muscle spasms, especially in the stomach, if you don’t get vaccinated. Difficulty swallowing.
How do you know if you have tetanus from a dog bite?
The tetanus bacteria can enter the body through a dog bite. Symptoms of tetanus include: cramping in the jaw. muscle spasms, usually in the stomach.