Injuries You Could Get From a Dog Bite

Approximately 65 million American households own a dog. While a dog may be friendly to its owners, it can also inflict harm on a child, a neighbor, or other members of the public.

Each day, nearly 1,000 U.S citizens require emergency medical treatment for dog bite injuries. The harm inflicted after a dog bite worsens the physical and mental health of a victim. For instance, dog bites trigger complications such as tetanus, a bacterial infection that causes painful muscle contractions.

You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve sustained a dog bite injury due to someone else’s negligence. Consult a trusted Largo dog bite attorney for legal advice in pursuing financial relief after a dog bite.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Depending on the nature of a dog attack, you can sustain a minor or a severe bite wound. However, no matter the severity, the puncturing nature of dog bites results in wounds prone to infections.

Here are the common injuries associated with dog bites:

Lacerations

A laceration is a common injury associated with dog bites. It occurs when the blunt trauma of a dog bite tears, stretches, or shears the skin. Lacerations refer to all cuts that go into the skin. Healthcare providers might use sutures or glue to treat deep lacerations. Treatment of minor cuts involves stopping the bleeding, cleaning, and dressing the wound.

Puncture Wounds

A dog has a sharp set of teeth likely to cause puncture wounds. Puncture wounds are often deep and dangerous because of the risk of infection. The wound might not appear to be that bad, but it can close up with bacteria inside if not properly cleaned.

Complications of puncture wounds include:

• Retained Teeth: Part of the dog’s teeth can break and get stuck in the wound. When the teeth are stuck, inflammation occurs, resulting in increased pain.
• Wound Infection: When a puncture wound remains untreated, it may develop redness 2-3 days after the injury.
• Bone Infection: The dog’s teeth may pierce the bone, resulting in a bone infection. The main symptoms include increased swelling and pain two weeks after the injury.

Capnocytophaga

Besides the initial physical harm, there’s a risk of bacterial infections in dog bites. Capnocytophaga is one of the common bacteria found in cats and dogs. An infection with Capnocytophaga bacteria can cause serious ailments such as heart attack, sepsis, kidney failure, and gangrene.

Rabies

Rabies is a life-threatening virus spread from the saliva of an infected animal. Any animal that breastfeeds its young can spread rabies. Symptoms of a rabies infection include vomiting, agitation, anxiety, excessive salivation, hallucinations, headache, nausea, hyperactivity, and hallucinations.

Injured in a Dog Attack? Get in Touch With a Trusted Largo Dog Bite Attorney

A dog bite can happen in an instant and cause lasting harm and losses. You want representation from an experienced attorney who will protect your right to compensation.

Mickey Keenan, P.A., is a highly skilled personal injury attorney with a proven track record of representing dog bite victims. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation.