Here are possible symptoms of infection:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an average of 18% of dog bites become infected. They list some of the diseases you should be familiar with:
Rabies is one of the most serious diseases people can get from dog bites. Although rabies from a dog in the United States is rare, rabies is a disease that you should be aware of. Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and is almost always fatal. The most common way the rabies virus is spread is through the bite and saliva of an infected animal. The disease can be prevented by vaccinating dogs. People exposed to a dog or any animal that could have rabies should receive treatment immediately to prevent rabies.
Capnocytophaga spp. are bacteria that live in the mouths of humans, dogs, and cats. These bacteria do not make dogs or cats sick. Rarely, Capnocytophaga spp. It can spread to humans through bites, scratches, or close contact with a dog or cat and cause illness. Most people who have contact with dogs or cats do not become sick. People with a weakened immune system are at greater risk of becoming sick.
Pasteurella is a type of bacteria seen in over 50% of infected dog bite wounds. Pasteurella commonly causes a painful, red infection at the bite site but can cause more serious disease in people with a weak immune system. Often these signs are accompanied by swollen glands, swelling in the joints, and difficulty moving.
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a Staph infection resistant to a certain group of antibiotics. Dogs and other animals can carry MRSA without showing any symptoms, but the bacteria can cause skin, lung, and urinary tract infections in people. In some people, MRSA can spread to the bloodstream or lungs and cause life-threatening infections.
Tetanus is a toxin produced by a type of bacteria called Clostridium tetani. This toxin causes rigid paralysis in people and could be a problem in deep bite wounds. (CDC)
Streptococcus and other Staphylococcus bacteria can also be the culprit in a dog bite infection. In most bites that develop an infection, the guilty bacteria come from the dog’s oral flora. However, the rest of the time, the bacteria to blame come from the skin of the bite victim. It is also possible for the bacteria to come from the environment at the time of the bite. Although not common, rare bacteria can be present, and infections can progress to other problems such as endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of your heart) or you can contract Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria).
A small family dog bit Robin Sullins of Austin, Texas, in December 2012. The bite was not serious, and she did not seek medical attention. Two days later, she had a fever and vomiting. Then her organs started shutting down and sepsis set in. She had legs below the knees and most of her fingers amputated. The hospital determined it was Capnocytophaga, found in the mouths of nearly a third of all healthy cats and dogs, but it is not normally this dangerous in a healthy person. Somehow the bacteria entered her bloodstream, which caused sepsis, which then caused the blood vessels in her legs and hands to shut down and clot.
Even if the skin is not broken, there is still damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and bones. A dog’s teeth are designed for ripping, tearing, and crushing, and there can be damaged even if the skin is not torn. There was a bite force test by Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic. He tested the bite pressure of several animals. In his test were three dogs. The Rottweiler had the highest at 328 pounds of pressure. The Pit Bull he tested had 235 pounds, just behind the German Shepard at 238 pounds. The wolf is 406 pounds, while lions and sharks are around 600. The Nile alligator is the highest at just under 2500 pounds of pressure. Another study was done by Dr. Ellis that was published in the Journal of Anatomy in 2009. She was able to show that the size of the animal and the shape of its jaw predicted bite strength. She tested the bite force of the dog breed with the largest head and widest mouth, the Mastiff. The bite force of the Mastiff is 552 pounds of pressure.
7 steps to treating a dog bite
If a dogbites you, take these steps right away:
Your doctor will want to know more about the dog that bit you and how it happened. They will also likely clean the wound again, apply antibiotic ointment and prescribe antibiotics, such as Augmentin, if there’s an infection concern.
After any bite, you should make sure you know when your last tetanus shot was — and that you’re up-to-date. While a tetanus immunization is good for 10 years, Dr. Sayles notes, your doctor may recommend a booster if the wound is dirty and it’s been more than five years since your last shot.
Depending onthe wound, your doctor may also recommend stitches. Generally, though, dogwounds are left open to heal unless they are on the face or if they could leaveparticularly severe scars if left unsutured.
Get To Safe Place and Check Wounds
Of course, the first thing you need to do if bitten or attacked by a dog is get to a safe place. Assess the seriousness of the bite. If the bite is serious, seek immediate medical attention, particularly if there are signs of exposed bone or muscle, profuse bleeding, loss of function, or severe pain. Otherwise, apply pressure to bleeding areas until it has stopped.
As soon as possible, wash the wound with soap and water. Apply antibiotic cream and cover with a clean bandage. Lacerations may need stitches, but seeping will help drain the wound, decreasing the potential for infection. If the bite is deep and you have not had a tetanus shot, you will need to get one. And be very aware of signs of infection. It is imperative to seek medical attention if any signs of infection appear. Your life may depend on it. Illnesses that suppress the immune system and other health conditions may pose an increased risk for infection.
The Dog Bite Treatment article on dogsaholic.com thoroughly explains infections from dog bites, “Usually, in the first 24 hours after being bitten, one’s wound should be swollen, red and painful, but it should not stay like that … If the symptoms worsen in time, it is almost clear that the wound got infected. These infections are common because pathogens are injected into one’s skin when the dog’s teeth penetrate it. There is almost no way for the bacteria to get out unless the wound bleeds excessively. Moreover, if the dog’s fangs penetrated one’s superficial fascia, they might develop septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, which are bone infections.”
Doctor explains how to assess and treat dog bites
Dog bites happen every day across Maryland and the U.S. Even the most placid and harmless dogs can sometimes bite when they get scared or anxious. Most types and sizes of dogs (even little Yorkshire Terriers) can puncture the skin when they bite. Aside from the pain and physical tissue damage, dog bites can also lead to harmful infections. In fact, infections are a common secondary complication associated with dog bites. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 15% of dog bites lead to an infection.
Our Maryland dog bite lawyers see a lot of dog bite victims with infections. In this post, we will look at the 3 most common types of infection that can result from a dog bite and talk about the impact these infections have on the settlement value of a dog bite injury case.