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Why do dog bites lead to such serious injuries?

On Behalf of | Mar 30, 2018 | Dog Bites, Firm News |

Did you know that a dog’s jaws can exert 450 pounds of pressure per square inch? If you didn’t know before, you do now. This is only one of the things that makes dog bites so horrible. This pressure, coupled with the fact that a dog’s jaws are meant for tearing meat, can inflict considerable damage on a human.

There are many complications that can come with a dog-bite injury. There are many factors that help to determine what kinds are going to occur in any given case. People who have suffered from a dog bite and those who are caring for a dog-bite victim can benefit from knowing some of the common complications.

One of the biggest complications that can occur is an infection. Dog bites come with puncture wounds, which are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Despite the common thought that a dog’s mouth is clean, they are actually filled with bacteria that can lead to serious issues after the bite. It can take as little as 12 hours for an infection to set in and most are noticeable within 24 hours of the injury.

There are some very specific risks that come with certain parts of the body being bitten. For example, young children are short and are more likely to be bitten in the face and neck. This can lead to disfigurement and other problems that come from the ripping of the flesh and the crushing force.

Just about any area of the body can suffer from significant bruising, as well as the risk of blood clots, when a large dog attacks. All of these are serious and must be treated as such.

Source: American Nurse Today, “Complications of dog bites,” Shari J. Lynn, accessed March 30, 2018

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