As much as we don’t want to admit it, bites can come from even the best dogs.

Not only are dog bites startling, but they’re painful as well. So, do all dog bites warrant a trip to our urgent care center or your doctor’s office?

Our AFC Urgent Care Centennial team answers that question and provides further helpful information below, so keep reading!

How Necessary Is Medical Care for a Dog Bite?

Most dog bites can be adequately taken care of at home by applying pressure to the wound, rinsing the wound with cool water and bandaging it up. If the bite has torn the skin to the point where the bleeding is tough to stop, however, experts recommend seeking medical care within 24 hours after you’ve been bitten.

Furthermore, dog bites are classified by severity, and it’s necessary to seek medical care if your bite is at level four or above on the list below.

Types of Dog Bites

• Level 1: The dog’s teeth don’t touch the skin.
• Level 2: The dog’s teeth touch, but do not break, the skin.
• Level 3: There are one to four shallow puncture wounds in the skin.
• Level 4: One to four punctures from a single bite. At least one puncture wound is deep.
• Level 5: Multiple bites, including some deep puncture wounds. This level most typically results from a dog attack.

What Will My Doctor Do?

Your doctor will want to know more about the dog that bit you and how it happened. If you are unsure that the dog that bit you has had its rabies vaccine, it’s a much greater cause for concern and infection is more likely. If you know the dog well and are up-to-date on its shots, though, your doctor will likely clean the wound again, apply antibiotic ointment and prescribe an antibiotic if there’s an infection concern.

Also, depending on the wound, your doctor may recommend stitches, but those aren’t usually necessary unless the bite is on the face or another particularly vulnerable area. If you aren’t sure if you should see a doctor for your bite wound, see if the wound lines up with any of the situations that we’ve listed below.

When to See a Doctor for a Dog Bite

• If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes of pressure
• If the bite has broken the skin. A tetanus shot may be necessary to reduce the possibility of tetanus infection.
• If you were bitten by a wild or stray dog or you are unable to obtain the animal’s immunization records from the owner
• If you have a weakened immune system, either due to an illness (such as diabetes) or medical treatment (such as chemotherapy)
• If you notice any signs of infection, including redness, swelling, warmth or pus

Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Centennial team today for excellent care for all your general medical needs!