If you are a dog bite victim, it is important to get medical care quickly. A dog bite can become infected even when the wound looks small at first. Dog teeth can push bacteria deep into the skin, muscles, tendons, or tissue. If bacteria spread under the skin, the bite may lead to cellulitis, abscesses, fever, worsening pain, or other serious complications.
If you were bitten by a dog in Maryland and notice redness, swelling, warmth, pus, fever, chills, red streaking, or increasing pain, seek medical care immediately. A dog bite infection can become serious without prompt treatment. If the bite was caused by another person’s dog, you may also have a legal claim for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, and other damages.
| Symptom | Possible concern | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Redness, warmth, or swelling | Possible cellulitis or soft tissue infection | Contact a doctor promptly. |
| Pus, cloudy drainage, or bad odor | Possible infected wound | Get medical care immediately. |
| Fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes | Possible spreading infection | Seek urgent medical attention. |
| Red streaks near the bite | Possible spreading infection | Seek urgent care or emergency care. |
| Numbness, weakness, or limited movement | Possible nerve, tendon, or deep tissue injury | Get medical evaluation as soon as possible. |
| Unknown rabies vaccination status | Possible rabies exposure concern | Contact a doctor and local health department. |
What Is Cellulitis After a Dog Bite?
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can develop after a dog bite. It may cause redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, and pain around the bite wound. In some cases, the infection can spread and cause fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, or red streaks near the injured area.
Dog bite cellulitis should be taken seriously. A doctor may need to clean the wound, prescribe antibiotics, check for deeper injuries, and evaluate whether tetanus or rabies prevention is needed.
Why Dog Bites Can Become Infected
Dog bites can become infected because bacteria from the dog’s mouth, the victim’s skin, or the surrounding environment can enter the wound. Puncture wounds are especially risky because they may look small on the surface while carrying bacteria deeper into the tissue.
Common bacteria associated with dog bite infections may include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pasteurella, and Capnocytophaga. Some infections may develop quickly, especially when the bite affects the hand, face, joint, or another sensitive area.
The risk of infection may be higher if the victim has diabetes, a weakened immune system, poor circulation, an existing skin condition, or delayed medical treatment.
Signs of an Infected Dog Bite
Signs of an infected dog bite may include:
- Increasing redness around the wound
- Swelling or warmth
- Worsening pain
- Pus, cloudy drainage, or bad odor
- Fever or chills
- Red streaks spreading from the bite
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty moving the injured area
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Do not wait for the infection to worsen.
When Should You See a Doctor After a Dog Bite?
You should see a doctor after a dog bite if the bite breaks the skin, causes deep puncture wounds, will not stop bleeding, involves the face, hand, neck, joint, or genitals, or if you do not know the dog’s vaccination status.
You should also seek care if the wound becomes red, swollen, warm, painful, or begins draining pus. Even a bite that appears minor can worsen if bacteria spread under the skin.
Treating Cellulitis From a Dog Bite
If you develop cellulitis after a dog bite, follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely. Treatment may include wound cleaning, oral antibiotics, IV antibiotics in more serious cases, tetanus evaluation, rabies evaluation, and follow-up appointments.
To reduce the risk of complications, you should:
- Seek medical treatment as soon as signs of infection appear.
- Keep the bite wound clean and covered as instructed.
- Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed.
- Finish the full medication course unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Return for follow-up care if redness, swelling, pain, fever, or drainage worsens.
Do not try to treat a serious dog bite infection at home without medical guidance.
Specific Infections From Dog Bite Wounds
Dog bite wounds can expose victims to several types of infection. The exact risk depends on the wound, the dog, the victim’s health, and how quickly medical care begins.
Staph and Strep Infections
Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria may cause redness, swelling, pain, warmth, pus, and spreading skin infection. If untreated, some infections can become more serious and may require stronger antibiotics or emergency care.
Pasteurella Infections
Pasteurella bacteria can be found in the mouths of dogs and cats. Pasteurella infections may develop quickly after a bite and can cause pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness near the wound.
Capnocytophaga Infection
Capnocytophaga is a bacteria that can spread through dog or cat bites, scratches, or saliva entering an open wound. The CDC explains that Capnocytophaga infections can become serious and may be more dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, heavy alcohol use, or no spleen.
If you were bitten by a dog and develop fever, blisters, swelling, redness, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, or worsening pain, seek medical care immediately.
Tetanus Risk After a Dog Bite
A dog bite may also raise concern about tetanus, especially if the wound is deep, dirty, or contaminated. Tetanus is a serious bacterial disease that affects the nervous system and can become life-threatening.
A doctor can determine whether you need a tetanus booster based on your vaccination history and the condition of the wound.
Rabies Concerns After a Dog Bite
Rabies is rare but extremely serious. It is usually spread through the bite of an infected animal. If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown, or if the dog cannot be located, you should contact a doctor, local health department, or animal control as soon as possible.
The Maryland Department of Health advises animal bite victims to wash the exposure area well with soap and water and seek prompt medical attention. Reporting the bite can also help officials evaluate the dog, vaccination records, quarantine needs, and rabies risk.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
- Move to safety and get away from the dog.
- Wash the wound with clean running water and mild soap.
- Use a clean cloth to slow bleeding.
- Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
- Seek medical care as soon as possible.
- Ask about infection risk, antibiotics, tetanus, and rabies concerns.
- Report the bite to animal control or the proper local authority.
- Identify the dog owner and get contact information.
- Take photos of the wound, torn clothing, location, and dog if safe.
- Speak with a Maryland dog bite lawyer if the bite caused medical treatment, infection, scarring, or missed work.
For more guidance, read our page on what to do if you’re bitten by a pit bull and our guide on whether doctors have to report dog bites in Maryland.
Can You Recover Compensation for a Dog Bite Infection?
Yes. If another person’s dog bit you and the bite became infected, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical bills, antibiotics, emergency care, follow-up treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, and emotional distress.
An infection can increase the value of a dog bite claim when it leads to additional treatment, hospitalization, delayed healing, missed work, permanent scarring, or long-term complications. A Maryland dog bite lawyer can review your medical records and determine how the infection affects your claim.
For related information, review our pages on average dog bite settlement amounts and the statute of limitations on dog bite claims.
What Evidence Helps Prove a Dog Bite Infection Claim?
Helpful evidence may include emergency room records, urgent care records, photos of the wound, infection diagnosis, antibiotic prescriptions, follow-up care records, hospital bills, proof of missed work, animal control reports, and witness statements.
It is also important to preserve photos showing how the wound changed over time. Infection, swelling, drainage, scarring, and delayed healing can be important evidence when negotiating with the insurance company.
How a Maryland Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
A Maryland dog bite lawyer can investigate the attack, identify the dog owner, gather medical records, communicate with the insurance company, and calculate the full value of your injury claim. This is especially important when infection leads to additional treatment, scarring, pain, missed work, or long-term complications.
The Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. helps dog bite victims understand their rights and pursue compensation after serious dog attacks. If you developed cellulitis or another infection after a dog bite, legal guidance can help protect your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is cellulitis after a dog bite?
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can develop when bacteria enter the skin after a dog bite. It may cause redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, pain, fever, or red streaking near the wound.
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How do I know if a dog bite is infected?
Signs of infection may include increasing redness, swelling, warmth, worsening pain, pus, bad odor, fever, chills, red streaks, swollen lymph nodes, or difficulty moving the injured area.
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When should I go to the doctor for a dog bite?
You should see a doctor if the bite breaks the skin, is deep, will not stop bleeding, affects the face or hand, shows signs of infection, or if you do not know the dog’s vaccination status.
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Can an infected dog bite be serious?
Yes. An infected dog bite can become serious if bacteria spread under the skin, into deeper tissue, or into the bloodstream. Prompt medical care can reduce the risk of complications.
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Can I sue if a dog bite becomes infected?
You may be able to bring a claim if another person’s dog bit you and the infection caused medical bills, lost wages, pain, scarring, or other damages.
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Should I report a dog bite in Maryland?
Yes. Reporting a dog bite to animal control or the proper local authority can help document the attack, evaluate rabies risk, and support a future injury claim.
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Can I recover medical bills for a dog bite infection?
You may be able to recover medical bills if another person’s dog caused the bite and the infection required treatment, antibiotics, emergency care, hospitalization, or follow-up appointments.
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Do I need a lawyer for an infected dog bite?
You should consider speaking with a lawyer if the infection required medical treatment, caused scarring, led to missed work, or created a dispute with the dog owner’s insurance company.
Contact a Maryland Dog Bite Lawyer About an Infected Bite Wound
If you developed cellulitis or another infection after a dog bite, The Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. can help you understand your rights. Our team can review the medical records, investigate the attack, deal with the insurance company, and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Call (410) 484-0400 to schedule a free consultation with our Maryland legal team.
