Five Helpful Facts About Dog Bites

Rs Law Offices/Our blog/Five Helpful Facts About Dog Bites

Five Helpful Facts About Dog Bites

19/09/2022

Dog bites are not only relatively common, but they can be incredibly dangerous. If you’re bitten by a dog, you run the risk of the obvious wound to your flesh or bone, but you also are at risk for an infection, including tetanus and rabies. It can be helpful to know how to treat such an injury and be prepared to avoid infection as much as possible, so here are five helpful facts about dangerous dog bites.




How to Treat a Dog Bite

If a dog bites you, you’ll need to take immediate care of it. Here are the basics for what to do to get and keep your wound clean before visiting a doctor.

  • Wash the dog bite wound
    using a mild soap, and run warm tap water over the wound for five to ten
    minutes
  • Use a clean cloth to slow the bleeding
  • Use antibiotic cream like Neosporin if available
  • Wrap your dog bite wound in a sterile bandage
  • See your doctor
  • Change your bandage several times a day after it
    has been examined by a doctor
  • Keep an eye out for obvious signs of infection
    (see below)

Always See A Doctor

Your doctor will ask for information about the dog and the incident itself and may re-dress your wound and prescribe antibiotics or other medications to help prevent infection. They may also recommend that stitches be applied to the wound, depending on the depth, although if they are surface wounds they are left to heal without sutures.

Get Your Shots

A tetanus immunization lasts ten years, so make sure to stay on top of it to avoid getting tetanus from multiple sources, including dog bites. You can often get your tetanus shot at the same time you receive other inoculations. Staying on top of your immunizations and booster shots is the best way to avoid unexpected, avoidable infections that can come from just about anywhere.

Watch Out for Infection

The most obvious signs of infection are swelling, redness, fever, or increased pain in the area. If you suspect an infection, head to the doctor so that the wound can be worked on again and so that you can be prescribed the proper medication to take care of the resultant infection.

Watch Out for Rabies

While the incubation period for rabies is normally two to three months, it can still vary anywhere from 1 week to an entire year. These variations are entirely dependent on where the virus entered your body (the location of your dog bite wound) and the bite’s viral load, which is how much rabies virus was present at the time of the bite.

Summary

Dog bites are serious, and you should always consult your doctor. You should also hold onto all medical and other documentation related to the bite when consulting with an attorney. You may be entitled to compensation depending on the circumstances surrounding the bite and the severity of the resulting injury.

blogs

You might like

Lemon Laws and How They Have Impacted Jeep Car Recalls

Lemon Laws and How They Have Impacted Jeep Car Recalls Purchasing a car calls for careful consideration if you are to find a reliable model that suits your needs. More importantly, you need to understand existing laws concerning the warranty, equity, insurance, and various other crucial aspects. Lemon laws are designed to protect buyers from […]

10/08/2020
Read more

Personal Injury Law In California

In California, many individuals fall victim to wrongful diagnosis, automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, dog bites, catastrophic injuries, nursing home negligence, train accidents, and pedestrian accidents due to other people’s carelessness.   That is why the California personal injury law is in existence. It aims at protecting the moral and legal entitlements of those injured […]

12/04/2021
Read more

Holiday Travel Safety

As we get into the holiday season, it’s a good time to think of some relaxing times spent at home with loved ones. Having a nice meal, meeting new spouses and grandchildren, or just coming together finally after a long time apart- it is a period of joy and togetherness. For these reasons and more, […]

13/12/2021
Read more

Motorcycle Safety Tips

Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating and freeing. It also can be quite dangerous. Equip yourself with preparedness to ensure every trip you take ends only with a smile and a safe arrival. As always, if the unfortunate does happen, navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident is a large undertaking. We are here to help […]

14/02/2022
Read more

Types of Damages in a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles are an easy, exhilarating way to get around. No getting stuck in traffic and you can hit the gas pedal to the max. Exciting, right? Well, here’s the catch; although exciting, motorcycles are incredibly dangerous.  A report by the Insurance Information Institute shows motorcyclists are usually 27 times more likely to lose their lives […]

05/04/2021
Read more

Personal Injury Lawyers: Myths and Misconceptions

Every year, millions of people are injured across the U.S. However, most of them survive. Although you might suffer from long-term or serious injuries, the fact is, if it was because of someone else’s fault or negligence, you are entitled to compensation. Besides being compensated for your medical bills or wages, there are several myths […]

11/01/2021
Read more

5 Ways Parents can Encourage Safe Teen Driving

For teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a significant milestone. It marks the beginning of independence and instills a sense of responsibility.  Most teen parents often share their children’s excitement but remain equally apprehensive since they’re well-aware of the dangers that come with driving. And they do have a perfectly valid reason to fret because […]

29/03/2021
Read more

Facts About Ridesharing Accidents

Even in cities that are considered to be “car cultures,” rideshare services are quickly becoming a solid alternative for those who don’t want to abandon their car after a night out, or don’t want to take public transportation. For some, Uber and Lyft, etc are their best bet for timely arrival to work or a […]

27/06/2022
Read more

Statute of Limitations and Personal Injury

For many of us, when a personal injury occurs there can be a lot of mixed feelings. Some people may feel guilty that they got injured, even when the blame lies with someone else. The first concerns you will obviously have will be about your health and safety. You may not even be considering what […]

17/09/2021
Read more

What to Look for When Hiring an Attorney

In Arizona and California, two big car cultures on the grow, you’re statistically more likely to be involved in some sort of motor vehicle accident or have some other legal concerns surrounding your automobile. Other injuries, like dog bites and slip and falls, are all-too common, and can be difficult to navigate with some kind […]

11/11/2022
Read more

contact form

Get in touch

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from RS Law Offices. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. View our Privacy Policy.