How to Treat a Dog Bite Wound

Not only are dog bites painful, but they can also put you at significant risk of further complications, especially if left untreated. Issues like bacterial infections, scarring, nerve damage, and emotional stress can cause serious problems, lots of pain, and even the risk of serious complications.

Treating a dog bite right away can’t take away all the pain, but it can certainly help reduce your risk down the road. If a dog bit you or someone you love, here’s what you should do to treat it:

• If the bite didn’t break your skin, administer first aid. Use a washcloth to clean the area with soap and warm water and apply anti-bacterial lotion as a precaution. Keep an eye on the wound and call your doctor immediately if the pain worsens or signs of infection appear.
• If the bite broke the skin, administer first aid and go to the doctor and get medical treatment. If you’re suffering from puncture wounds, gently wash the area with soap and warm water. If the wound is not deep or severe, press gently around the area to increase blood flow and flush out any germs, bacteria, or other debris that could be in the wound. Then, cover with a sterile bandage or clean cloth and press to stop the bleeding. Apply antibiotic ointment and call your doctor right away. They’ll assess the damage, clean and treat the wound, and give you medical advice about what to do next.
• If the wound is severe (more than a small puncture), get medical attention ASAP. Ragged, bleeding wounds put you at extreme risk; cover the wound and go to the doctor. You shouldn’t wait to get medical help if your dog bite is more than a few small puncture holes. Deep wounds can affect muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones deep within your body. If these are damaged but don’t get treated, they can cause extensive pain and suffering. The doctor can help you properly clean the wound or laceration, possibly give you antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection, close the wound with sutures, and potentially even administer a tetanus shot if yours is out of date or the wound was particularly dirty.

Your doctor also will likely ask you about the dog’s vaccine history. If you can, get that information from the dog’s owner and bring it to your medical appointment.

Signs the Dog Bite May Have Become Infected

About half of all dog bites infect the person with some kind of bacteria, which can lead to an infection.

Infections are one of the most dangerous outcomes after a dog attack. Left untreated, an infection can cause conditions like tetanus, rabies, or even sepsis. To treat these conditions, injured people need a rabies vaccine or antibiotics. However, the goal is to get proper dog bite treatment early, reducing your risk of serious complications later.

Signs your bite is infected: the area is red, swollen, and warm and tender to the touch.

RELATED: What to Do if You’ve Been Bit By a Dog in Mississippi

If You Were Hurt by a Dangerous Dog, an Attorney Can Help

No matter how severe your wound was, recovery after a dog attack can be challenging. You’re shaken up, you are in pain, and getting life back to “normal” is going slower than you like. Plus, if you needed extensive medical care, you’re probably facing a pile of bills. If this sounds like your situation, it’s time to consider filing an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover the cost of your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Winning a lawsuit or getting a settlement is also a way many people find closure after an attack.

With more than 25 years serving the people of Alabama, Mississippi, and the Gulf Coast, we know how difficult it is to get your life back on track. We believe that if you (or someone you love, like your child) is suffering because of someone else’s dangerous dog, you shouldn’t have to pay for their negligence. That’s where our personal injury firm enters the picture.

We fight for people injured in dog attacks, helping them file claims to cover their care costs, lost wages, and pain. Our team has the experience and tenacity to win on your behalf, and we have the track record to prove it. Since our inception, we’ve won over half a billion dollars for our clients—people just like you.

Since our inception, we’ve won over half a billion dollars for our clients—people just like you.  

RELATED: Does Renters Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

This Can Include Injuries from a Non-Biting Attack

Dogs can be dangerous, even if they don’t cause bite injuries. If you were hurt in a dog attack, but the dog didn’t bite you (for example, they lunged at you, and you fell and were injured), you could still be eligible to collect financial compensation. To learn about your options, contact our team. We’re happy to help.

Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys: Dog Bite Lawyers Ready to Win for You

Dog bites are serious injuries that require serious representation. Our team of personal injury lawyers is ready to hear your story, help you understand your options, and give you no-nonsense legal advice about what to do next.

We can meet with you in a free consultation in your home, in our office, by phone, or even in the hospital. These meetings are completely private, with no strings attached. And if you decide to let us fight for you, you don’t owe us a dime unless we win on your behalf. Get started today by calling our offices at 251-888-8888 or completing this brief online form. We look forward to hearing from you.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.