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When you see a doctor, it’s important to follow their recommendations regarding your dog bite, both for your safety and if you plan to seek compensation from the dog’s owner. If you do not follow through on the treatment they recommend, this refusal could lead to a lower settlement amount in a personal injury case related to the dog attack.
Regarding whether you need to get a tetanus shot after a dog bite, you certainly should receive one if the doctor recommends it. If you refuse, the insurance company representing the dog owner may argue that you did not take your injuries seriously. This could lead to a reduction or denial of your financial award.
Continue Seeking Additional Medical Care as Needed
If you have complications from a dog bite and you need additional treatment, follow through with your doctor’s orders. This is crucial for your health and for your injury case.
Take necessary medications, any recommended tetanus booster, and attend important follow-up appointments — otherwise, the other party could claim you made your injuries worse. Get the care you need to protect the potential value of your settlement or award.
What should I do if I’m bitten by a dog?
To minimize the chance that you experience an infection following a dog bite, wash the wound as soon as possible.
If the wound is minor, use soap and warm water. Run the affected area under lukewarm water to flush out any bacteria. Apply antibiotic cream and wrap the bite with a bandage.
For more serious wounds, apply pressure with gauze or a clean, dry cloth to stop any bleeding.
You should also seek medical attention immediately and no later than 8 hours after the incident.
Washing the wound does remove some bacteria from the body and can help prevent infection, but it’s not a guarantee against complications. A tetanus shot gives you greater protection against serious infection.
Most dog bite wounds are left open to heal, but if you have one in a sensitive area like your lips or face, you may benefit from stitches. Dr. Rose carefully reconstructs any serious damage done by a dog bite to restore a natural appearance.
Dog bite/punctured wound & Tetanus
In most cases, your doctor will recommend a tetanus shot after a dog bite if you havent had a tetanus shot within the past five years. While there are no statistics on how many cases of tetanus have passed from dogs to humans, and tetanus is rare in dogs, there is still a chance that a dog bite can transmit tetanus to humans. A dirty wound presents a higher risk, but your doctor is likely to order a tetanus shot for any bite that has broken the skin.