Getting bit by someone else’s dog is pretty scary, especially if it punctured the skin. If you or your loved one is wondering about dog puncture wounds on humans, please feel free to visit our office or give one of our Eason & Tambornini personal injury lawyers a call. We can help explain why swelling is normal after a dog bite, what you should do if you get bit by a dog, puncture wound care for a dog bite, and the precautions after a dog bite. If you have any questions about dog bite and dog attack, know that your Eason & Tambornini personal injury lawyer is here to help you through the legal process.
Dog bites vary. The bigger and more ferocious the dog, the more severe the injuries can be. Even if the dog bite doesn’t completely break the skin, though, it’s normal for the skin to swell and bruise because even a small tissue injury can trigger inflammation.
If the dog’s teeth punctured the skin, you should expect the presence of inflammation and swelling. In addition to the tissue damage, bacteria and other pathogens from the dog’s mouth and saliva could be transferred to the wound and infect it.
Dog bites, however mild it may seem, require thorough washing with flowing water and soap. You also need to go to the emergency department for anti-tetanus and anti-rabies shots to be safe from infections.
If the dog that bit you was someone else’s, know that its owner should cover the medical expenses for your injuries.
The first thing you need to do if you get bit by a dog is to thoroughly wash the area with soap and clean, flowing water. This can help remove debris as well as reduce the risk of infection.
If the wound is bleeding profusely, apply a tourniquet above the wound and then elevate the bitten area. This can help reduce blood flow and prevent blood loss. Do not exsanguinate the area through.
After washing the bitten area, go to the nearest hospital immediately for tetanus prophylaxis as well as anti-rabies shots. X-rays may also be taken to check for fractures, especially if the dog that attacked you was of the large breed. If there are signs of a fracture, splinting may be recommended.
In addition to cleaning the wound with wound irrigation or debridement, medications will be prescribed for pain, inflammation, and infection prevention.
You need to follow your doctor’s advice for wound care to keep it clean and dry to prevent infection. You also need to apply topical antibiotics to the wound as prescribed by your doctor. Topical ointments, in addition to the oral antibiotic treatment, can also help prevent infection.
If even on antibiotic treatment, you notice that the wound seems to be getting worse or if the wound begins to smell and ooze pus, go to your doctor immediately. A wound culture may be ordered to identify the type of bacteria that’s causing the infection. By identifying the bacteria, your doctor will be able to prescribe the most effective antibiotic for your wound.
Symptoms to watch out for are swelling of the bitten area, redness, warmth, and pain. You should also watch out for red streaking from the bitten area, lymph node swelling, draining of pus, fever, night sweats, rapid heart, respiratory rate, or dizziness and confusion. These could mean there is a puncture wound infection and the infection is getting worse. You may need stronger antibiotics to treat it.
It would help if you also watched out for pain that doesn’t improve even with pain medications since this could mean a nerve injury.
If you’re suffering from nightmares, stress, anxiety, and flashbacks of the dog attack, you should also see your physician. Severe dog attacks could trigger post-traumatic stress disorder and would need medications and psychotherapy for symptom control.
What can you do?
Treatment for a dog bite and the aftereffects of a dog attack can become pretty expensive. If someone else’s dog bit you or your loved one, know that you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. Our Eason & Tambornini lawyers can help you understand why swelling is common after a dog bite, first-aid treatment for dog bites, dog bite wound care, and symptoms to watch out for.
For any concerns and worries about dog puncture wounds on humans, please feel free to call one of our Eason & Tambornini Sacramento dog bite lawyers, and we will assist you through the legal process.
