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DOG BITES

  • 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

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    If an infection has spread to other parts of the body, individuals may experience fever, shaking, and night sweats.

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    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

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    Left untreated, a dog bite can eventually lead to kidney failure, heart attack, and gangrene.

  • 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

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    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

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    Patients should seek medical attention if they’re unsure about the dog’s rabies vaccination status.

    • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

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