How to Prevent Infections After a Dog Bite
Any animal bite has the potential to become infected. Even if the bite is small or doesn’t seem to break the skin, there is still a small risk that it could get infected. Large bites that penetrate deep into the flesh are also at a greater risk for infection.
So how can you stop a dog bite wound from getting infected? Follow these steps.
Clean the Wound
Cleaning any wound can significantly reduce the odds that it will become infected. A good start is to wash the wound with mild soap and warm water. Run the wound under warm tap water for three to five minutes. The running water and the bleeding can help clean the wound. However, if the bleeding is severe, apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean, dry cloth and seek emergency care.
If the wound is still bleeding, apply a clean, dry cloth to try to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, wash again gently.
Dress the Wound
Once the wound is cleaned and the bleeding is largely stopped, apply an antibacterial ointment. Then apply a dry, sterile bandage. Make sure that the bandage is large enough and is secure enough to provide pressure to the wound to control bleeding and protect the wound.
Get Professional Care
Any dog bite that penetrates the skin should get professional care. Bites on the neck, head, hand, or feet should get immediate attention. Go to urgent care or the emergency department. Bites that bleed severely, won’t stop bleeding, or cause any loss of function also need immediate attention.
For other wounds, it’s best to seek care within 24 hours.
Doctors will be able to evaluate how best to avoid infection. For some wounds, they might clean them again. They may cut away damaged tissue. The doctor might order x-rays. In some cases, the doctor might grow a culture to detect the presence of bacteria. They may also or instead prescribe an antibiotic.
The doctor will evaluate any impact on the body’s function, and they may recommend follow-up care with a different doctor.
Talk to the Dog’s Owner
Talking to the dog’s owner won’t actually help protect against infection. However, it can help you understand your level of risk. If the dog owner is taking care of their dog, and the dog is up on their vaccinations, the risk is smaller than if the dog is sick or doesn’t have vaccinations. If the dog isn’t current on their vaccinations, it might need to go into quarantine to observe for rabies.
When you talk to a dog’s owner, they might seem conciliatory and offer to make payments. However, don’t take payments or do anything that implies you are giving up your right to seek compensation via a dog bite lawsuit if necessary. People often make generous-seeming offers only to later back out or even try to avoid paying under the pretense of a deal.
Watch for Signs of Infection
About one in five dog bite wounds becomes infected. Even after getting treatment for your dog bite wound, you should watch for signs of infection. Although you may be taking an antibiotic, not all antibiotics are equally effective on all bacteria. The general antibiotic your doctor gave you as a precaution might not be effective against the bacteria you were exposed to.
Watch for:
- Redness, swelling, and pain around the wound
- Oozing and pus from the wound
- A foul smell from the wound
- Red lines radiating from the wound
- Fever
- Blistering around the wound
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Extreme daytime sleepiness
- Weakness
- Stiff muscles and joints
The above list of symptoms is related to several different types of infections. See a doctor if you experience any one of them – don’t wait until you have them all!
Help with Dog Bite Lawsuits in Denver
In Colorado, dog owners are strictly liable for the injuries their pets cause. If you or someone you love gets infected from a dog bite, the medical cost of your injuries shouldn’t be your responsibility. The dog owner or their insurance should pay.
Brian Pushchak is a Denver dog bite attorney with extensive experience helping people get compensation for their injuries, and he can help you.
When you work with Pushchak Law, you will benefit from our exclusive Informed Decisions™ Approach. We’ll start by listening to understand what matters most to you: plastic surgery to restore your appearance, physical therapy to regain function, counseling to overcome trauma, or other key treatments. We want to know your priorities to make sure we include them. Then we will recommend the right course of action to achieve your goals. We’ll give you our personal contact information so you can contact us any time with questions, concerns, or decisions about your case. And it always remains your case: you are in charge. We are here to guide, but the final decision is always yours.
To learn how Pushchak Lawc can help you get compensation after a dog bite, please contact us today for a free initial consultation. We serve clients in Denver and the surrounding areas.
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