A dog bite might look minor on the surface, but it can turn into a serious medical issue fast. The actual puncture might be small, but dog bites can introduce bacteria into your system, damage tissue, and create serious infections.
Knowing when to go to the ER is important to protect your health. If you’ve been bitten by a dog and don’t know if you should get medical care, consider the following points.
1. Medical documentation is required to win a lawsuit
Regardless of how serious the bite is, if you end up filing a lawsuit against the dog’s owner, you’ll need medical documentation to prove your claim. Dog bite injury lawsuits require proof of damages, and that begins with your visit to the ER.
In addition to proving you were actually hurt, getting medical attention right away will establish a connection between your injury and the dog’s whereabouts or behavior. The longer you wait, the easier it is for an insurance adjuster or lawyer to argue that your injury was caused by a different situation, perhaps even by a different dog or on a different day. This will weaken your claim, whether you’re going through insurance directly or filing a lawsuit.
If you file a lawsuit, your lawyer will use your initial ER documentation to build your case. Your medical records will detail the severity of your injury, treatment provided, and any complications. Without this documentation, it will be harder to recover compensation.
2. The risk of infection is high
Dog bites routinely cause infections, even when the wound is small. According to the CDC, one in five dog bites will become infected. When bacteria from a dog’s mouth enters your bloodstream, it can cause serious complications. For example, dog saliva carries bacteria like Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and Capnocytophaga. These bacteria can create serious infections in just 24 hours. Unlike cuts, puncture wounds can start to seal up fast and trap bacteria inside, where it will get worse before symptoms are even visible.
An ER doctor will clean your wound immediately and give you the proper antibiotics while monitoring you to make sure the infection doesn’t spread. Waiting to see a doctor to get proper medical care when there’s a chance of infection increases your risk of developing cellulitis, abscesses, or sepsis.
3. Rabies and tetanus are real threats
Although rare, rabies and tetanus are serious threats after a dog bite. Nearly every case of rabies is fatal once symptoms appear, and tetanus bacteria thrive in deep puncture wounds. Getting treated right away is the only effective way to prevent contracting either of these diseases. Since you can’t know if you’ve been exposed, it makes sense to go directly to the ER for medical care.
4. Dog bites can cause nerve, muscle, and tissue damage
A dog bite can negatively impact muscles, tendons, nerves, and other tissue, even when the damage looks minimal on the surface. If your nerves are affected, it could take hours to notice the pain or numbness. An ER doctor can use imaging tests to see if there’s deeper damage, and if so, treat it promptly to avoid worsening symptoms.
5. Getting medical help can ease emotional trauma
After a dog bite, it’s normal to feel shaken and anxious, especially around dogs. Studies have shown that kids who get bitten by a dog often develop a lifelong fear of dogs. Sometimes that fear changes their behavior.
When you get checked out by a doctor, it eases the anxiety and stress caused by uncertainty and shock. Even just sharing your experience with an ER nurse or doctor can help you regulate your stress response. Getting medical care can provide you with assurance that you’ll be okay and you won’t have to worry about worst-case scenarios.
6. Complications can escalate without treatment
If you don’t go to the ER and end up with complications, you could end up with severe swelling and pain from an infection you didn’t see coming. Although rare, sepsis is a serious risk when you have an untreated infection. Delaying medical care that can be treated immediately with antibiotics could turn into a lengthy hospital stay, IV antibiotics, and possibly surgery.
Don’t wait until your injury gets worse
Don’t take any chances if you’ve been bitten by a dog. Even when it looks minor, the risks are serious. Getting seen in the ER will ensure you’ll get proper medical treatment and documentation in case you decide to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.
A simple proactive decision to get checked out can prevent a bad situation from getting worse.