Common Dog Bite Injuries

A wide range of injuries can be caused by dog bites, from less serious wounds to severe and life-altering damage. Here is a list of the most common dog bite injuries we see:

Perforating Wounds and Deep Gashes

Some of the most frequent dog bite injuries are lacerations, contusions, and skin-puncturing wounds. These skin injuries can be shallow, causing minor injury, or deep, leading to serious tissue damage. Variables like the part of the body injured, the duration of the attack, and the power and mass of the dog are all factors that determine the severity of the injury.

Bone Fractures and Breaks

While they are less frequent, broken bones can happen from dog attacks, particularly if the incident lasted a long time and/or the animal is big and powerful. Kids, the elderly, and body parts with small, delicate bones (e.g., the head and face, or extremities like feet and hands) are especially susceptible. Broken bones can result not only directly from the dog’s bite, but also from the victim being knocked down and impacting sharp or hard surfaces over the course of the attack.

Infection (e.g., Tetanus, Cellulitis, and Rabies)

Dog saliva can host pathogens that can be transmitted through bites. This may cause infections at the site of injury and possibly spread to other parts of the body. Infections from dog bites commonly include tetanus and cellulitis, and less frequently, dangerous diseases such as rabies. 

Immediate emergency medical care is critical to prevent infections from dog bites. You may be prescribed antibiotics, and a tetanus vaccine may be required if you have not received one in 10 years. If the animal’s physical condition cannot be examined by a veterinary professional or its symptoms point to rabies, you will have to receive a rabies vaccine series to prevent severe infection and death.

Nerve Injuries

Nerves may be injured during dog bite attacks, which can result in pain, pins and needles, lack of sensation, burning sensation, weak muscles, and sometimes symptoms as severe as paralysis. The power of the dog bite and the location of the injury on the body determine the seriousness and risk of injury to nerves. Injured nerves are treated in different ways based on their severity and can include medicine, rest, physical therapy, or surgical intervention.

Disfigurement and Permanent Scars

Serious dog bites may result in prolonged or life-long scars and deformity. You must take immediate action to care for injuries by properly cleansing wounds, taking antibiotic medication, applying topical antiseptic and healing medicine, and putting on sterile medical dressings to lower the risk of long-term or permanent scars. For more severe injuries, medical professionals may prescribe professional dermatology care such as surgery or laser treatments to mitigate scarring.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Other Emotional Trauma

A dog bite attack can have a dramatic effect on the psychology and emotional health of the victim, and may lead to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD include altered mood, impaired cognitive ability, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and avoiding specific people, activities, or locations associated with the incident. Kids are particularly vulnerable to PTSD after a dog attack incident, and research shows that up to 50% of juvenile victims may present the disorder.

If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog (or any animal), immediately get professional medical care and make sure to acquire and preserve all documentation of costs and treatment for the injury. Call Rasmussen Injury Law at 480-637-5757 to get expert legal support for your dog bite personal injury case.