What Kind of Health Problems Can Follow a Dog Bite?

Getting bit by a dog can be a traumatic experience for anyone and it can also be quite painful. The last thing you want to worry about is catching a disease from a dog bite or acquiring any other type of health problem.

  1. Types

    • Dog bites can lead to several types of health problems including tetanus, rabies and other serious infections. They can also lead to deformity, disability and, in some rare cases, even death.

    Symptoms

    • If you are bitten by a dog, there are a few things to watch out for including pain, tenderness, swelling and loss of tissue in the bite area. Symptoms of an infected dog bite include fever, cellulitis of the arm, leg, hand or foot, swollen lymph glands or red streaks surrounding the wound.

    Time Frame

    • When bitten by any dog, even if it is your own dog, immediately seek medical help. You may need a tetanus shot or even a rabies shot in some cases. Seeking help quickly can be a matter of life or death.

    Warning

    • If you do not seek medical attention immediately following a dog bite, you risk the chance of serious health problems. Even if you feel the bite is minimal, it can still cause major symptoms.

    Prevention

    • It is best to avoid dog bites at all costs. When approaching a strange dog, never run past it. A dog's instinct is to catch prey. If you feel threatened by a dog, do not scream. Instead, stand still and do not make eye contact.