Dog Bites Are More Dangerous Than They Look
Many people think a dog bite is a minor injury. The wound bleeds, you clean it up, and you move on. But dog bites are among the most infection-prone injuries a person can suffer. A dog’s mouth carries dozens of bacteria that can enter your body through a bite wound. Without proper medical treatment, a simple puncture wound can turn into a life-threatening infection. In Chicago, thousands of dog bites are reported each year. Many more go unreported. Whether the bite came from a stray dog in your neighborhood or a friend’s pet, understanding the medical risks is critical to protecting your health and your legal rights.
Why Dog Bites Get Infected So Easily
Dog bites cause a specific type of wound that is prone to infection. A dog’s teeth are designed to puncture and tear. When a dog bites, its teeth push bacteria deep into the tissue. The puncture wound then closes over, trapping the bacteria inside. This is different from a clean cut. With a laceration, the wound stays open and can drain. With a puncture wound from a dog bite, bacteria are sealed in a warm, moist environment where they multiply rapidly. That is why even bites that do not look serious on the surface can develop dangerous infections below the skin. Certain bite locations are more prone to infection. Bites on the hands are the most infection-prone because of the many small bones, tendons, and joints close to the surface. Bites on the face tend to have lower infection rates because of the strong blood supply to that area.
Common Infections from Dog Bites
Pasteurella
Pasteurella is the most common bacterial infection from dog bites. It is found in the mouths of most dogs. Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours. The wound becomes red, swollen, and painful. Pus may drain from the bite. If left untreated, pasteurella can spread to the joints and bones, causing septic arthritis or osteomyelitis.
Staphylococcus and Streptococcus
Staph and strep infections are also common after dog bites. These bacteria can cause cellulitis, a spreading skin infection that makes the surrounding area red, warm, and swollen. In serious cases, staph infections can enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis. MRSA, a drug-resistant form of staph, is a growing concern. MRSA infections from dog bites are harder to treat because they do not respond to common antibiotics.
Capnocytophaga
Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a bacteria found in dog saliva. Most healthy people who are exposed to it never get sick. But for people with weakened immune systems, people who have had their spleen removed, heavy alcohol users, and the elderly, capnocytophaga can cause a severe and sometimes fatal infection. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and confusion. In extreme cases, it can lead to sepsis, kidney failure, and gangrene.
Rabies
Rabies is rare in the United States because of widespread vaccination of domestic animals. But it is still a concern, especially with stray or unvaccinated dogs. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. If there is any doubt about the dog’s vaccination status, you will need to start post-exposure prophylaxis, a series of shots given over two weeks.
Tetanus
Dog bites can introduce tetanus bacteria into a wound. If you have not had a tetanus booster in the last five years, your doctor will likely give you one after a dog bite. Tetanus causes muscle stiffness and spasms and can be fatal if not treated.
Serious Complications from Dog Bite Infections
Sepsis
Sepsis occurs when an infection enters the bloodstream and triggers a system-wide inflammatory response. It is a medical emergency. Symptoms include high fever, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, and extreme pain. Sepsis can lead to organ failure and death if not treated immediately. Dog bite victims who delay treatment are at higher risk.
Osteomyelitis
When bacteria from a dog bite reach the bone, they can cause osteomyelitis. This is a bone infection that requires long-term antibiotic treatment and sometimes surgery. It is most common in hand and finger bites where the teeth penetrate close to the bone. Osteomyelitis can result in permanent damage to the affected bone.
Septic Arthritis
Bacteria from a bite wound can infect a joint, causing septic arthritis. The joint becomes extremely painful, swollen, and difficult to move. Treatment usually requires antibiotics and draining the infected joint. If not treated quickly, septic arthritis can cause permanent joint damage.
Nerve Damage
Dog bites can sever or damage nerves, especially in the hands, arms, and face. Nerve damage can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of function. Some nerve injuries heal on their own. Others require surgery and may result in permanent disability.
Compartment Syndrome
In rare cases, swelling from a dog bite infection can increase pressure within a muscle compartment to dangerous levels. This is called compartment syndrome. It cuts off blood flow to the muscles and nerves. Without emergency surgery to relieve the pressure, compartment syndrome can lead to permanent muscle damage or amputation.
What to Do After a Dog Bite to Prevent Infection
Clean the Wound Immediately
Wash the bite wound with warm water and mild soap for at least five minutes. This helps flush out bacteria. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on the wound, as these can damage tissue.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
See a doctor within hours of the bite, even if the wound seems minor. A doctor will properly clean the wound, assess the damage, and decide whether you need stitches, antibiotics, a tetanus shot, or rabies treatment. Puncture wounds often need to be left open rather than stitched to allow drainage.
Watch for Signs of Infection
In the days after a dog bite, watch for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, pus, red streaks spreading from the wound, fever, and chills. If you notice any of these signs, go back to the doctor immediately. Early treatment of an infection can prevent serious complications.
Follow Up with Your Doctor
Dog bite wounds need to be monitored. Your doctor may schedule follow-up visits to check healing, change dressings, and adjust antibiotics if needed. Keep all appointments.
Long-Term Effects of Dog Bite Injuries
Even after the wound heals and any infection is treated, dog bite victims may face long-term consequences. Permanent scarring is common, especially on the face and hands. Some victims lose range of motion in affected joints. Others deal with chronic pain or numbness from nerve damage. The psychological impact is also significant. Many dog bite victims develop anxiety, PTSD, and a lasting fear of dogs. These emotional injuries are just as real as the physical ones and deserve compensation. Serious dog bite complications can also result in broken bones if a large dog knocks the victim down, or brain injuries from falls during the attack.
Compensation for Dog Bite Infections and Complications
Under Illinois strict liability law (510 ILCS 5/16), the dog owner is responsible for all injuries their dog causes. This includes the initial bite wound and any infections or complications that follow. You can recover compensation for: – Emergency room visits and hospitalization – Surgery, including reconstructive and plastic surgery – Antibiotics and other medications – Physical therapy and rehabilitation – Lost wages during your recovery – Future medical treatment for ongoing complications – Pain and suffering – Emotional distress – Permanent scarring and disfigurement The full cost of treating a dog bite infection can be enormous. A hospital stay for sepsis alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Insurance companies know this and will try to settle your claim quickly for less than it is worth. Understanding how insurance works in these cases is important before accepting any offer.
Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement
Insurance companies often try to settle dog bite claims before the full extent of the injuries is known. If you accept a settlement and then develop a serious infection weeks later, you cannot go back and ask for more money. That is why it is critical to get proper medical treatment and wait until your condition has stabilized before settling. A lawyer experienced in dog bite cases will know when the time is right to settle and will make sure all of your current and future medical needs are accounted for.
Get Medical and Legal Help After a Dog Bite
If you were bitten by a dog in Chicago, get medical attention right away. Then talk to a lawyer who can protect your rights and pursue full compensation for your injuries, including any infections or complications that develop. Call Phillips Law Offices at (312) 346-4262 or contact us online at /contact/ for a free consultation. We will review your case at no cost and help you understand your options.