Treating Dog Bites is Vital
I’m Ed Smith, a Vacaville dog bite lawyer. Most dog owners are likely to have been bitten by their pets at least once. While sometimes these bites are harmless, a serious dog bite can lead to significant injuries including amputation injuries and, in some cases, even death. While the reason that dog bites happen is often a mystery, avoiding dog bites can be difficult. Everyone should be ready for the possibility that they will suffer a severe dog bite injury. To be prepared, people should know what to do right after suffering a bite injury as well as what professional options they have for treatment. Knowing these things can help you avoid complications, secondary injuries, and reduce the potential severity of your dog bite wound.
Immediate Treatment
Dog bites can be the cause of many different injury types. However, the first steps to take after being bitten always stay the same. First, the injured person should move away from the dog to a safe place to avoid another bite. After this, the area that the dog bit should be washed out with a significant amount of running water. After washing with water, the wound should be thoroughly cleaned with a sterilizing liquid such as hydrogen peroxide and/or an antibiotic solution.
After it is washed, the wound should be wrapped in sterile gauze. Gauze will allow the area to get the air it needs while keeping out unwanted bacteria that could cause infection. These steps are all necessary and can reduce the risk of further injury. However, it is important to remember that an infection can be caused by the bite itself and those bitten by dogs should always see a medical professional so that they can be given further treatment if it is needed.
Preventative Measures
While it is true that some types of dogs bite more often than others, every dog bite can be dangerous. When people visit a doctor after being bitten, they are usually asked about their past vaccinations. Vaccines are essential and can keep some infections from occurring even after a person has been exposed to the harmful bacteria.
In some cases, doctors will give patients antibiotic medicine to reduce their infection risk. In the best of all worlds, the dog that caused the injury would be tested for dangerous bacteria. However, not all dogs are able to be found and tested after a bite occurs. These medicines can reduce the chance that a dog bite injury leads to complications.
In addition to these preventative measures, it is vital to make sure that you keep any follow-up appointments that your doctor schedules. Follow-up appointments can ensure that infections don’t develop.
More by Ed Smith, Vacaville Dog Bite Lawyer
- Correcting Problematic Behavior in Dogs
- How Can an Injury Lawyers Help Me?
- How to Identify Bite Infections
Vacaville Dog Bite Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Vacaville dog bite lawyer. A dog bite can lead to emotional and physical injuries. If you or a person that you care about has been bitten by a dog, call me for free and friendly advice. I’m available at both (707) 564-1900 and (800) 404-5400.
For 36 years, Vacaville residents with personal injury and/or wrongful death cases have trusted my firm to help them receive the money they are owed by law.
My extensive client ratings are available here:
I’m in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum because I have won and settled cases worth more than $1,000,000 for clients.
See my past Verdicts and Settlements.
photo: “dog snarling” by freegr via C.C.0
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