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Steps to take if a dog bites you

On Behalf of | Sep 22, 2022 | Personal Injury, Premises Liability

When an aggressive dog attacks, victims in New York need to react to a bite in time to prevent serious health risks like infection or excessive bleeding. First aid is a must for every wound inflicted by a dog attack. Washing the wound with antibacterial soap and water is the first step, then applying pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. After the bleeding slows down, apply an antibiotic cream and bandage the area and monitor for signs of heavy bleeding.

You may need to take oral antibiotics to prevent an infection.

After initial first aid is performed, it is essential to visit an urgent care, your primary physician, or an emergency room. Dog bites require immediate attention and may require extra care like stitches, vaccines, or immediate high doses of antibiotics. You may need a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 10 years or do not remember when you received it. You may also be questioned about the dog that bit, if the dog is a stray, you may receive a rabies vaccine series to prevent the virus if the dog was infected. Dog bites can introduce a large number of harmful bacteria into the bloodstream easily.

Dog bite stiches

Deep wounds caused by dog bites might require stitches. Cleanse the area and change the bandage or bandages several times a day. Look for signs of infection, including redness, odor, leaking, swelling or red streaks. A wound that becomes infected may require further medical attention. Additionally, if left untreated, dog bites may aggravate other medical conditions. Always keep a supply of various size bandages and antibiotic cream on hand in case of an unexpected dog bite.