Dog bites are puncture wounds. This means that one of the potential complications is an infection. When bacteria and debris are shoved down into the puncture wound and are not cleaned out properly, an infection can set in.
The only way to know for certain that your dog bite is infected is to talk to medical professionals. You may need significant treatment, and it is important to do this quickly, before the infection becomes serious. That’s why it is so crucial to identify symptoms in advance.
Symptoms to watch for after the bite
Although every injury is unique, here are some common symptoms of a dog bite infection that you may see:
- Stiffness and difficulty moving the injured limb or body part
- General sensitivity around the bite wound, perhaps combined with a feeling of warmth
- Redness around the wound that may be spreading, especially as streaks under the skin
- The onset of traditional fever symptoms, such as running a temperature, having chills and feeling achy
The biggest thing to look for is simply that the bite doesn’t seem to be healing, but the condition is actually getting worse. Even a severe dog bite should start healing, and the pain should lessen over time. But if the pain is instead growing more significant—especially if it’s coupled with swelling or fever symptoms—then that could mean there’s an infection that your body is trying to fight off.
Getting proper medical treatment for an infection can be expensive, and you could also miss time at work. Be sure you know how to seek financial compensation from the dog’s owner.