How do I know if my dog bite is infected?

Dog Bite Injuries in Tracy, CA

What Injuries Are Common After a Dog Bite?

Even the gentlest of dogs can inexplicably attack a person and inflict serious injuries. Puncture wounds, nerve damage, and infections can lead to significant medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. After a dog attack, you can find the help you need at the office of a seasoned personal injury lawyer serving Tracy and Livermore. Your lawyer will ask to review your medical records and documentation of your losses in order to provide effective guidance on your case.

Puncture Wounds
Given how friendly most dogs are, it’s easy to forget that they have very sharp teeth. When a dog attacks, the puncture wounds can penetrate deep into the tissues, inflicting significant pain and damage. As soon as you’ve gotten away from the dog, you should tightly press a clean cloth or bandage to all of the puncture wounds to slow the bleeding. Many dog attack victims must receive sutures in the hospital to close the wounds. To help your personal injury lawyer substantiate your case, you may choose to take pictures of your wounds.

Nerve Damage
Long after the puncture wounds have healed, you might still experience painful symptoms if the dog’s teeth inflicted nerve damage. Nerve pain can be debilitating, and it’s often accompanied by numbness, tingling, or burning sensations. You may also have muscle weakness in the area. Since nerves regenerate very slowly, these symptoms may affect you for months to come.

Infections
As your personal injury case progresses, you should periodically update your injury lawyer regarding any changes in your health. For instance, many dog attack victims develop secondary infections from bite wounds. If you experience worsening pain, increasing redness and swelling, or an abnormal, foul-smelling discharge from the wound, you need to seek prompt medical attention. It’s crucial to treat the infection before it can spread to the bloodstream.

Emotional Injuries
It can be emotionally traumatic to be attacked by a dog. You may find yourself becoming irrationally fearful when you see or hear dogs. In severe cases, dog attack victims are reluctant to go outside the home because they fear another attack. Consider speaking with a mental health counselor about these issues. Let your lawyer know if you’re receiving psychiatric care, as you may be compensated for these expenses.

Common Injuries and Infections Caused by Dog Bites

Even the most well-behaved, even-tempered dog can sometimes attack others. If you’ve been attacked and injured by another person’s dog, you’ll likely have steep medical bills and you may even have lasting health problems that require ongoing care. Fortunately, there may be legal recourse available to you. Consider talking to a personal injury lawyer in Tracy or Livermore. Your lawyer can review your case and discuss the process of seeking a settlement or filing a lawsuit. It’s important to keep careful records of your injuries and all related expenses; your attorney will need this information to obtain just compensation on your behalf.

Puncture Wounds
Puncture wounds are among the most common types of injuries caused by dog attacks. These can range from superficial scrapes to deep gashes. All types of dog attack injuries require medical care; even superficial scrapes pose a risk of infection. Plus, your medical records will substantiate the claim filed by your injury lawyer. Regarding mild to moderate puncture wounds, some experts recommend letting it bleed for a minute or two to cleanse the wound. Of course, if the wound is in your neck or head or is gushing forcefully, or if you’ve already lost a lot of blood, your first priority should be slowing the flow of blood by applying direct pressure. Then, call 911 without delay.

Staph Infections
Dog bite wounds are notoriously prone to developing infections. One common infection is the staph infection, which is caused by bacteria. These infections can be life-threatening. The signs and symptoms of staph infections can include skin redness, swelling, oozing discharge, and rashes with blisters. If the staph infection enters the bloodstream, fever and low blood pressure can result. The infection can also travel to internal organs. Additionally, staph bacteria produce toxins that can cause toxic shock syndrome, resulting in symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and confusion.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Dogs may be man’s best friend, but they can be terrifying when they attack. The fear a victim can feel during the attack can lead to PTSD. Individuals with PTSD may become unusually frightened of seeing dogs or hearing dogs bark. Some people may refuse to leave the house. PTSD can cause nightmares, depression, mood swings, and other debilitating problems.