Dog Bites
A dog bite can pierce the skin and even lead to an infection. Bacteria from the dog can cause tetanus, rabies, or sepsis, and require treatment.
Symptoms Of Dog Bite Infection
A dog bite may lead to an infection and the following symptoms:
Swelling and redness around the wound
Pain that persists for more than 24 hours
Drainage from the wound
Difficulty moving the injured body part
Warm feeling around the wound
If an infection has spread to other parts of the body, individuals may experience fever, shaking, and night sweats.
Complications from a dog bite infection can lead to the following symptoms:
Blistering around the wound
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Joint pain
Abnormal body temperature
Confusion
Extreme daytime sleepiness
Severe pain or discomfort
Flu-like symptoms
Weakness
Itching or prickling around the bite
Cramping in the jaw
Muscle spasms
Difficulty swallowing
Muscle stiffness
Left untreated, a dog bite can eventually lead to kidney failure, heart attack, and gangrene.
What To Do After A Dog Bite
To help prevent an infection from a dog bite, it’s important to take the following steps:
Wash the wound with soap and warm water
Apply antibiotic cream
Wrap with a clean bandage
For deeper wounds:
Press a dry cloth against the wound to stop the bleeding
Seek immediate medical attention
Call 911 if the bleeding is uncontrollable or leads to fainting
Patients should seek medical attention if they’re unsure about the dog’s rabies vaccination status.
Early Treatment
During a medical appointment, the physician will examine the wound for damage to nerves or bones and order diagnostic tests if necessary. Patients with severe or facial wounds may need stitches to close the wound.
Treatment Options
A dog bite may require treatment with soft tissue injections and pain management techniques. The right treatment will depend on the severity of the dog bite.
A few types of joint and soft tissue injections that may help alleviate pain include nerve blocks, epidural injections, piriformis injections, sacroiliac joint injections, and trigger point injections. Patients should speak to their physician to find out which joint and soft tissue injection could help ease their pain.
Pain management techniques may help patients endure pain as they continue through treatment. Effective techniques include cold and heat therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, gentle exercise, physical therapy, deep breathing exercises, massage, acupuncture, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, music therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Each patient will receive a customized pain management plan for maximum effectiveness.
Advanced Treatment
Severe injuries caused by a dog bite may require advanced treatment, such as surgery. Premier Urgent Care supports patients seeking a range of treatments. Staff is available to answer patient questions about advanced treatment.
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