If you suffer a bite from someone else’s dog, one of the most serious health consequences is the threat of infection. When a dog attacks, they mash and tear the flesh, leaving it especially prone to infection, and the bacteria harbored in a dog’s mouth can be the direct cause of a serious infection.
If you’re concerned about an infection as a result of someone else’s dog biting you, seek the immediate medical attention that you need to protect your health and well-being moving forward. And from here, it’s important to reach out for the skilled legal guidance of an experienced New Jersey dog bite lawyer.
The first method for protecting yourself from infections caused by dog bites is taking every precaution to avoid aggressive dogs in the first place. Caution can only go so far, however, as dogs can still bite the most careful people.
If a dog’s already bitten you, it’s time to take precautionary measures that are focused on preventing infections.
The Mayo Clinic advises anyone who’s suffered a dog bite that does no damage beyond breaking the skin to carefully wash the bite with soap and warm water, apply an antibiotic treatment, and cover the wound with a clean bandage. At this point, It’s important to watch the wound for any signs of worsening or infection.
The Mayo Clinic further reports that if any of the following apply to your dog bite wound, you should not wait to seek medical attention:
Another matter you should concern yourself with after a dog bite is how recent your last tetanus booster was. If it’s been about 10 years since your booster or the dog bite wound is either dirty or deep, it may be time for a booster, which you should discuss with a medical professional.
When it comes to dog bites, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure, and there are some important steps you can take to protect yourself and your children.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that dog bites pose a very real health threat to our communities. Consider the following statistics shared:
There are a range of basic tips that can help you protect yourself and your children from serious dog bite injuries.
Many people mistakenly believe that a dog who is friendly when they first meet will always be friendly, but this simply isn’t the case. Any of the following can make a dog more likely to bite:
Sometimes harmless play with a dog can turn into a bite, which is a form of play on the part of the dog but can harm the person who is bitten in the process.
Some safety pointers related to being around dogs that you and your children should know and follow include:
Some dogs give plenty of warning before they attack, and others give very little. This is why knowing the tell-tale signs of aggression is important and why proceeding with caution is advised. The best course of action is taking whatever precautions you deem necessary whenever a dog makes you feel uncomfortable, and erring on the side of caution is always in your best interest.
When it comes to protecting yourself from dog bites and minimizing the associated health risks, all the following are essential:
The best way to avoid a bite becoming a nightmare is naturally by avoiding the attack in the first place, but if you’ve already been bitten, taking immediate action can make a significant difference in your health outcome.
The basics when it comes to avoiding infections from dog bites break down into three primary elements.
The first order of business is avoiding risky situations from the start and remembering that dogs are unpredictable, which means a dog who has been friendly in the past may not be as friendly the next time you meet. Your first and best line of defense is exercising healthy caution when it comes to dogs in general.
If someone else’s dog does bite you, it’s important to figure out how serious the wound is. If the only damage is a small area where the animal broke your skin, you should cleanse the wound with soap and water, apply a topical antibiotic cream that you cover with a bandage, and watch for any signs of worsening.
If the wound is more serious, heading directly to urgent care, the ER, or your primary provider is the best course of action. If the wound is bleeding heavily, staunching the flow with a clean towel or cloth before seeking medical attention is advised.
If your wound is more serious than broken skin, the best way to avoid serious infection is by obtaining immediate medical attention. Your attending medical professional will thoroughly clean the wound, assess the related damage, and devise the right care plan for you. Taking antibiotics as a precautionary measure to ward off serious infection may be advised.
If your wounds are very serious, you could be looking at surgery and ongoing healthcare needs. Dogs often attack the hands, face, or calves, and these are especially vulnerable to injuries that require extensive care and lengthy recoveries.
A dog bite can happen in an instant and turn your world upside down. Always seek the help you need – both medical and legal.
David J. Cowhey is a dedicated dog bite attorney at The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer whose entire impressive practice focuses on helping dog bite victims like you obtain just compensation that supports their fullest recoveries. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t delay contacting us online or calling us at 866-343-3181 for more information today.