When Should You Be Concerned About a Dog Bite?

Although dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend,’ not every interaction people have with them is a positive one. Dog bite injuries Can easily lead to serious complications if they are not treated properly.

But, not all dog bites need the same level of concern.

Let’s take a look at how to know if you need to take action.

The Animal Was Stray or Wild

Unfortunately, stray or wild dogs carry many diseases that could easily be spread to humans through a bite. This is especially true with rabies, which requires immediate attention in order to treat properly.

If the dog that bit you was clearly a stray, didn’t have a collar, etc. it’s best to go get checked by a medical professional just to make sure.

The Wound Becomes Infected

Infected wounds could easily lead to severe health issues down the road. Since a dog’s teeth are able to penetrate so deeply into the skin, there is a particularly high risk of infection for those who experience dog bites.

In general, symptoms to look out for include the following:

• Redness around the affected area
• Pus
• A warm sensation around the wound

If you notice any of these signs, you’ll need to seek appropriate medical care immediately in order to prevent the infection from progressing.

More often than not, dog bite injuries occur from an animal that somebody else owns. You can visit this resource if you are hurt and wish to take legal action against the other party for their negligence.

Excessive Bleeding Occurs

In general, any wound that bleeds should subside after you apply pressure for approximately 15 minutes. The same can be said about dog bites.

But, if your wound continues to bleed even after taking this action, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. This is particularly imperative if you are alone since excessive blood loss could cause you to faint and prevent you from seeking care.

In general, any dog bite wound that causes bleeding should be examined by a medical professional unless the bleeding quickly subsides when pressure is applied.

You Have a Compromised Immune System

For those who have compromised immune systems, even relatively mild dog bites could result in serious infections or health complications.

So, it’s imperative to remember that you should seek care immediately in the scenario if your immune system is not as strong as it should be. Otherwise, what would normally be a minor injury could have far more serious consequences if you don’t prioritize seeking the required level of treatment.

Properly Treating Dog Bite Injuries Can Seem Difficult

But the above information will make the process far smoother and allow you to get the appropriate level of care for dog bite injuries that you experience.

Want to learn more info you should keep in mind? Be sure to explore what the rest of our blog has to offer.