Common infections caused by dog bites

A bite from a dog is painful and traumatizing – but the worst may not be over when the attack ends.

Typically, dog bites include puncture wounds from the canine’s teeth, and puncture wounds tend to drive bacteria deeply into bodily tissues. For victims, that often means coping with serious infections in the days, weeks and months following a dog attack. These are several that are common.

Rabies

This is usually the number one concern people have after a dog attack, simply because the disease is fatal. While rabies is very rare in domesticated dogs in the United States, victims may still have to undergo painful shots to prevent the disease if the dog that bit them wasn’t up to date on its shots.

Capnocytophaga

Capnocytophaga is a bacteria that’s often found in the mouth of dogs, and the resulting infection can be severe – especially for young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of infection can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, redness and blisters around the wound.

Tetanus

Tetanus, or “lock jaw,” is a serious infection that requires immediate medical treatment – and most people who are bitten by an animal will need a tetanus booster shot to prevent the possibility of an infection starting.

Cellulitis

This infection starts as a localized reaction under the skin that leaves the area hot to the touch, swollen, red and painful – but it can easily spread to a victim’s bloodstream or lymph nodes and turn critical.

Sepsis

This is a potentially life-threatening immune response that turns into a system-wide inflammatory reaction that can impair blood flow, disrupt the victim’s entire autonomic system and leave them with organ damage. It can often prove fatal

An encounter with a vicious dog can be emotionally jarring and physically devastating. If you’re suffering from the aftereffects of a dog bite, it’s smart to seek legal guidance. You may be able to hold the owners financially accountable for their negligence.