Dog Bite Treatment is Vital
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer. Most people who have owned a cat or a dog in their life have likely been bitten at least once. Why dog bites occur is sometimes a mystery; however, pet owners know the difference between a friendly nip and a vicious bite. These traumatic injuries have the potential to cause serious damage to a person and everyone should know what to do after a dog bite, including the treatment options that are available.
In the Immediate Aftermath
Dog bites can cause many different types of injuries; however, the initial steps following a dog bite are always the same. First, the person needs to move away from the dog, if possible. The bite site needs to be washed out with a generous amount of irrigation. This means cleaning the wound thoroughly with a sterile solution. After this, the wound should be dressed in a sterile gauze. This will allow the wound to breathe without opening the door to a possible infection. Patients should keep in mind that bacteria could be transmitted to the wound site by the bite itself. For this reason, everyone should visit a medical professional after a dog bite. They will provide further treatment to the area, if necessary.
Preventative Measures Should be Taken
It is true that some dogs are more likely to bite than others but every dog bite has the potential to be dangerous. When patients visit a physician following a dog bite injury, they are going to ask about that person’s vaccination status. Vaccines are important because they can prevent some infections from developing, such as tetanus, even if the person has been exposed to the bacteria. In addition to vaccines, the doctor could place the patient on prophylactic antibiotics if there is a high risk of infection. Ideally, the dog would be tested for infectious sources; however, not every dog can be tracked down after a dog bite. These medications could reduce the chance of complications. After you have obtained medical treatment for your dog bite injury, contact an experienced Sacramento dog bite lawyer.
Follow-Up if Necessary
Some doctors will ask the patient to return for a repeat visit. This will allow the physician to monitor the bite site to ensure that it is healing quickly. Some infections, such as rabies, have the potential to be fatal. This is why every dog should have its rabies vaccinations. Ensure that follow-up appointments are kept as it is a vital part of the treatment process.
Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer. While every dog is different, the initial treatment of most dog bites is the same. If you or a family member has suffered a serious dog bite injury, please call me after seeking medical attention at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice.
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Image Source: Published by the US Government and therefore is a public domain image. Via Wikimedia Commons.
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