Dog bites are one of the most common types of injuries experienced among both children and adults. According to the Center for Disease Control, almost 4.5 million dog bites happen in the United States every single year. Out of these numbers, more than 800,000 require medical care. Dog bites can carry fatal bacteria and viruses that can change a person’s life completely. Of course, dogs are also some of the best, most loyal companions that we can have. So how does a dog go from being adorable and cuddly to attacking a grown adult? Read on to learn more about what to do if you are attacked by a dog, and what can prompt a dog to attack. Zappitell Law Firm, LLC is a top personal injury law firm in Delray Beach. Call Zappitell Law Firm, LLC to consult with a personal injury attorney today!

A Personal Injury Attorney Discusses Dog Bites

Typically in dog-on-human attacks, the human has taken some measure or participated in some activity that has enticed the animal’s aggressive instincts. People don’t realize that smoking, loud music, fireworks, and other commonplace activities can cause a dog to be aggressive. If you are a stranger, even abruptly trying to pet a dog can cause them to snap. If the skin is broken, then you’ll probably have to go through several treatments to protect yourself from illness, disease, and to treat injury. After receiving medical treatment, you may want to contact our Florida personal injury law firm to find out the next steps to take.

Possible Infections

• Rabies vaccines- Without a vaccination tag, there’s no way to tell if the dog carries rabies or not. It is essential to get treatment right away, as rabies treatment is only preventative and there is nothing doctors can do if the disease has time to engage with the system.
• Possible infections and more- Some possible infections from dog bites are Pasteurella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Capnocyptophaga. While these are not all deadly, all require antibiotic treatment. Even if you were able to clean the wound and disinfect it at home, you should still visit a professional right away because dogs carry so much bacteria in their saliva. Without treatment, any of these infections can develop into severe issues.
• Capnocytophaga treatment- A common bacteria found in the mouths of both dogs and cats, it can result in serious health issues for people. You don’t have to worry if your dog or cat has the bacteria, but if they break your skin, then medical help is required. Treatment for this infection consists of an aggressive round of antibiotics and careful monitoring for the progression of the infection.

Contact Us Today

Dog bites may not seem like a big deal, but the treatment can end up being extremely expensive. Many dog bite victims initially go home and try to take care of it on their own, before realizing they require medical intervention. If your medical bills are quickly piling up due to the dog bite, then you may need to pursue compensation from the dog’s owner. If you are seeking a personal injury attorney, call Zappitell Law Firm, LLC for a consultation today!