After being bitten, most people who become ill will show symptoms within 3 to 5 days, but this can range anywhere from 1 to 14 days. Most
Dog bite wounds that have become infected are often red, painful, and swollen. Fluid or pus may ooze from the wound. Tenderness and tingling of the bite wound are also common signs of infection.
Wound Care
Because of the risk for infection, you should see a health care provider within 24 hours for any bite that breaks the skin. If you are caring for someone who was bitten: Calm and reassure the person. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before treating the wound.
The 10-day confinement and observation period for dogs and cats that bite humans has stood the test of time as a way to prevent human rabies. This quarantine period avoids the need to destroy the biting dog or cat in order to test its brain for the rabies virus.
In general, most experts recommend seeking medical care within 24 hours after you've been bitten—especially if the bite has broken the skin. Dog bites can cause medical problems that aren't immediately obvious, such as rabies.
Treatment with prophylactic antibiotics for three to seven days is appropriate for dog bite wounds, unless the risk of infection is low or the wound is superficial.
Level 3: One-four shallow punctures from a single bite and potentially small lacerations from pulling the biting dog or victim body part away. Level 4: One-four deep punctures from a single bite and lacerations or bruising from the dog holding on or shaking.
redness and swelling around the wound. the wound feels warm and increasingly painful. liquid or pus leaks from the wound. a fever of 38C (100.4F) or above.
Human or animal bites can become infected or transmit illnesses such as rabies. A tetanus shot may be required if you have not had one within 10 years; if you are not sure when you had your last tetanus shot, and you've been bitten, you should get one within 72 hours after your injury.
Seek prompt medical attention from a physician, even if the bite is mild and the skin is barely broken. Immediate vaccination can prevent rabies from developing.
The most common pathogens in dog bites are Pasteurella spp. (both Pasteurella multocida and Pasteurella canis), Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp., and the fastidious Gram-negative rod Capnocytophaga canimorsus (previously known as the CDC and Prevention Group Dysgonic Fermenter-2).
Although you can provide first aid for a dog bite at home, it's very important to see a doctor, especially if an unfamiliar dog bit you, the bite is deep, you can't stop the bleeding, or there are any signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, pus).
To do this, place a clean towel over the wound and apply gentle pressure. At the same time, try to keep the injured area elevated. Once the bleeding has stopped, use soap and water to gently wash the area. Bandage the wound with a sterile bandage and apply antibiotic ointment daily to discourage infection.
Overall, only a fifth of dog bites become infected, compared with 36% of hand bites,13 and loss of function can result from infection.
Your bite may take as little as 7 days or as long as several months to heal, depending on how bad it is. Taking good care of your wound at home will help it heal and reduce your chance of infection. The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later.
Most scientific studies indicate that it is very possible to rehabilitate a dog after they bite another dog or person.
Level Two:
At a level two bite, a dog's teeth will make contact with a person's skin and leave some redness or light bruising but does not break the skin.
Most dog bites are minor, and local wound care is the most important step to prevent infection. Wound infection complications after a bite occur 10% to 20% of the time and require antibiotics. But getting rabies from a dog in the U.S. is extremely rare.
Level 2 Dog Bite:
You might see redness and light bruising. The level 2 dog bite is concerning, even though it has not yet broken the skin. For level 2 dog bite treatment, you should see a doctor to reduce your risk of bacterial infection.
Tetanus immunization — Tetanus is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection that can be transmitted by an animal or human bite. Adults who are bitten should receive a tetanus vaccine (called a tetanus toxoid vaccine) if the most recent tetanus vaccine was greater than 5 years previously.
Yes, swelling is normal after a dog bite, but increased swelling after the initial first aid can be a sign of infection. Dog bites may be dirty wounds that are prone to infection.
You should always see a primary care provider if you're bitten.” No matter what, make sure you see a doctor within eight hours of a dog bite, he says. Waiting longer raises your infection risk. If you have diabetes or are immunocompromised, your infection risk is even greater.