Dog Bite Injuries

Abrasions are superficial injuries that do not extend beyond your epidermis. They include grazes and scrapes. When you experience abrasions as a result of a bite, there isn’t usually much bleeding. However, in severe cases, you may have some scarring. Abrasions can also occur if the dog knocks you down and your skin is scraped on a rough surface, such as the pavement.

Although you can treat these injuries at home, you may also want to seek medical attention to exclude severe complications. Moreover, hospital records can be vital when presenting a lawsuit.

Lacerations refer to deep cuts in the skin. They penetrate the epidermis and reach your muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and bones. If you suffer from lacerations due to a bite, you should see a doctor who can stitch your wound. Avoid closing the injury on your own using a skin repair tape as this can worsen the situation. Lacerations can also be caused by the dog's claws. 

Contusions, or bruises, occur when blood vessels are damaged beneath the skin. Contusions can be painful and may cause swelling. Contusions may not seem serious, but if they are large or deep, they can cause serious damage.

Nerve damage can occur if the dog bites down on a nerve. Nerve damage can cause pain, numbness, and tingling. In severe cases, it can lead to paralysis.

Puncture wounds are the most common type of dog bite injury. They occur when the dog's teeth sink deep into the skin. Puncture wounds can be very painful and can cause bleeding, swelling, and bruising. If the puncture is deep enough, it can also damage underlying bones or tendons. Since these wounds tend to be deeply buried, the risk of infection is more intense. Therefore, even if the bleeding is not copious, you should ensure that you seek medical attention.

Fractures can occur if the dog bites down hard enough on a bone. Fractures can be very painful and may require surgery to repair. Dogs that have strong jaws, with more pounds per square inch of bite pressure, are more likely to cause fractures. When a dog bite injury results in a fracture, it is usually classified as a serious bodily injury.

Infections can be serious and may require antibiotics to treat. They can cause fever, chills, and swelling. If left untreated, they can be life-threatening. Approximately 5% to 25% of bite injuries are at risk of infections, which can lead to pain, scarring, and even hospitalization. About 13% of bites result in infectious diseases with the infections emanating from microbes in the dog’s mouth. However, they can also spring from germs on your skin. For this reason, you should always ensure that you have cleaned your wounds.  

Rabies is a deadly virus that can be transmitted through a dog bite. It is the most severe infection you can have due to a bite. Worldwide, there are approximately 50,000 deaths annually because of rabies disease. (https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/rabies.html). Fortunately, that risk is quite negligible in the United States, but it is still important to get medical attention if you are bitten by a dog, especially if the dog is acting strangely.

When you get a bite, do comprehensive research to know if the dog has had a rabies vaccine. If it has not, or you can’t tell for sure, go to the hospital emergency room immediately.

Additionally, know that rabies signs may manifest within one to two days after the bite. However, some may even start to manifest after one year. The initial rabies sign is prickling around the infected area, followed by confusion and aggressiveness. You may have paralysis, sensitivity to bright lights, and/or muscle spasms, as well as difficulty speaking.

Keep in mind that some dogs haven't had a rabies vaccine, and puncture injuries are susceptible to infections.

Unlike rabies, tetanus is not very common. However, it can also spring from a dog attack. Tetanus does not emanate from the dog’s saliva so much, but rather from the victim’s surroundings or skin microorganisms.

A crushing injury occurs in attacks involving big dogs. Big dogs can apply an enormous amount of force that can injure your muscles and fracture your bones.

Unfortunately, many dogs have been known to attack infants. That’s why the problem of dog attacks in children comprise approximately 12% of all dog bite-related deaths (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047723.htm).

Avulsion arises when the bite tears your skin or tissue from the body. For example, an animal may completely rip your ear from your head, causing an avulsion injury. An avulsion is a very severe injury that needs reconstructive surgery. It can result in permanent scarring or other problems.