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What Should I Do if I’m Bitten by a Dog

By Susan McGuire posted 12-13-2020 02:06 AM

  

We’re so used to thinking of them as our tail-wagging best friends that we sometimes forget dogs can bite. It could be your own dog during playtime, or maybe you’re just walking down the street, minding your own business, and out of nowhere, a dog attacks you. We’re not saying this is a common occurrence, but it does happen. There are more than four and a half million dog bites per year in the U.S.

If it happens, the dog’s teeth will grab and compress your tissue, and they might also go through your skin, resulting in an open and jagged wound. 

The main concern with dog bites is infection. In severe cases, you may even need to be hospitalized and receive intravenous antibiotics. If you get bitten by a dog, you should see a doctor within eight hours. Waiting longer than this will increase your risk of infection. If you have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or are immunocompromised, the risk of infection is higher. 

About half of dog bites introduce bacteria into the body. This includes streptococcus, staphylococcus, pasteurella, and capnocytophaga. Unvaccinated dogs can also have and transfer rabies. Caring for a dog bite is mostly about preventing infection from the bacteria. 

What to Do Immediately After

If you get bitten by an unknown dog, don’t try to catch or hold it. It’s best to call animal control so they can catch it. You’ll want to call 911 so you can get vaccinated against rabies. If the dog is aggressive, behaving strangely, and seems partially paralyzed, there’s a good chance they have rabies. 

If the dog owner is present, you’ll want to exchange contact information so you can get proof that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies. You should also call the police and animal control so they can make sure that the owner takes the necessary steps to prevent future biting incidents.

Dog owners are usually held responsible if their pet bites you or hurts you in another way. As the injured person, you can seek compensation for damages like medical expenses. Liability for dog bite cases differs from state to state. For example, in Michigan, you need to show that you did not provoke the dog in any way and that the incident happened in a public space or you were invited on the private property where you got bitten. Dog owners and their lawyers may fight back, claiming that you provoked the dog or somehow contributed to the injury, so you might need to consult Michigan personal injury lawyers on how to best approach your specific case. 

As for the wound, you’ll want to wash it with mild soap and run tap water over it for 5 to 10 minutes. If it’s a puncture wound, do not apply rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or other disinfectants because you risk damaging your tissue. It’s better to apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream and see your doctor. You can keep the wound wrapped in sterile bandages. 

What Will the Doctor Do?

Your doctor will ask you about the circumstances of the dog bite, clean the wound, apply antibiotic ointment, and prescribe you antibiotics.

They’ll also want to know when your last tetanus shot was. Although tetanus immunization usually lasts ten years, if it’s been more than five years since your last shot, they may recommend a booster. Usually, dog wounds are left open to heal, but if they are severe and can leave scars, the doctor will recommend sutures. 

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