What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog

What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog

Depending on the bite site, a dog’s bite may result in one to four puncture wounds, at least one of which is deep. After being bitten, victims should clean the bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water. In addition, they should flush the wound with clean water to minimize the risk of infection. Afterward, they should loosely cover the wounds with bandages. If the wounds are deep, they should be kept above the level of the heart.

Symptoms of tetanus

Although the risk of contracting tetanus after being bitten by a dog is extremely low, if you are in doubt about your chances of avoiding tetanus, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. If you haven’t been vaccinated against the disease, you should get a booster shot. The Cleveland Clinic recommends getting a tetanus vaccination within 10 years of a dog bite.

A doctor or nurse should be called immediately following a dog bite. The healthcare provider will determine whether to administer antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or rabies vaccine. If the bite is severe, go to an emergency room or visit a minor injuries unit. If the wound is infected with pus or blood, you should see a GP as soon as possible. A vet may also recommend a tetanus vaccine or rabies post-exposure.

Treatment

The initial treatment after being bitten by a dog should address the underlying structures of the wound. While a lacerated hand may look ugly, it is likely not as severe as a lacerated tendon. In such a case, the health care provider will focus on the underlying structures to determine if there is any infection. In some cases, surgery is required to close the wound. However, treatment for dog bites is generally straightforward.

The first step is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Generally, dog bites involve the dominant hand and devitalized tissue. A dog bite can be dangerous, especially if it was unprovoked or if the dog’s teeth were in the wrong place. While dog bites can cause minor or severe injuries, a deep bite can cause extensive damage to the muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones. A doctor can clean the bite wound and remove dead tissue.

Reporting

If you have been bitten by a dog, you should report the incident to the appropriate agencies right away. Even if the bite is minor, you should visit a doctor within 24 hours. If you have been injured severely, go to the emergency room or urgent care facility. Often, skin scratches can hide damaged tissues under the surface. If the dog’s owner is not home, contact your local Animal Control office or police department to report the bite.

Once you’ve reported the dog bite, it’s important to contact the owner of the dog. It’s possible the dog owner is a neighbor or a friend of yours. You’ll have to fill out a form, which will ask for personal information. However, this information is strictly confidential. In most cases, the owner of the dog will be notified of the bite and may be required to provide proof of it.

Taking photos of the bite wound

If you are bit by a dog, it is important to document the damage and take photos of the wound as soon as possible. Make sure that you get a medical record of your dog bite so that you can prove that it was a dog bite. Also, take notes about how your dog bite has affected your daily life, such as how much time you’ve missed from work or family time.

Taking photos of a dog bite wound is a common practice for personal injury attorneys in Billings representing police officers and K-9 handlers. Despite the fact that these photos are against police policy, police officers continue to take photographs of the wound and store them on their own personal devices or share them with their friends. While it is not legal, some police officers still breach the policy and do take photos of the bite wound.

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