Dog bites are more than just painful—they can carry serious medical risks. When a bite breaks the skin, bacteria from the dog’s mouth can enter your body and lead to infection. While some bites may seem minor at first, symptoms can quickly worsen without the right care. If you have been bitten, it is important to treat the wound and monitor for signs of infection.
Recognizing an infection early can help prevent complications like permanent scarring, nerve damage or illness. In some cases, a dog bite may also raise legal questions about responsibility.
Symptoms of an infected dog bite wound
Infection can develop within 24 to 48 hours after a bite. If any of the following symptoms appear, you should seek medical attention promptly:
- Redness and swelling: It’s normal for a wound to appear red shortly after an injury, but expanding redness or swelling that continues after the first 24 hours may suggest an infection is developing under the skin.
- Pain that lingers or worsens: Discomfort should gradually fade as the wound heals. Pain that intensifies or becomes sharp, throbbing or radiates to surrounding areas may signal that bacteria are spreading.
- Pus or fluid drainage: Oozing or leaking from the wound, particularly if the fluid is yellow, green or foul-smelling, is a common sign of bacterial infection and should be checked by a doctor immediately.
- Warmth or tenderness around the area: Infections often cause the skin to feel hot or overly sensitive. If the warmth is spreading beyond the bite site, this could indicate the infection is advancing.
- Restricted movement: If moving the affected area causes pain or becomes difficult, it could mean the infection is affecting joints, muscles or nerves.
- Fever, chills or night sweats: These systemic symptoms suggest that the infection may be entering your bloodstream, which requires urgent medical care to prevent life-threatening complications.
Dog bites can lead to serious complications, including infection, nerve damage and even rabies. Prompt medical care is essential, and legal guidance can help you determine liability and protect your rights.