2. In the Clinic: What to Expect During Your Medical Evaluation

During your visit to the clinic or hospital, our primary goals are to assess the full extent of your injury, clean the wound professionally, and create a treatment plan to prevent the main risks associated with dog bites: bacterial infection, tetanus, and rabies.

• Wound Assessment and Care A healthcare professional will thoroughly examine the bite to determine its depth, size, and location. We will carefully check for any damage to underlying tissues such as muscles, tendons, blood vessels, or nerves, particularly for bites on the hands, feet, face, neck, or near joints. The wound will be professionally cleaned. Depending on the wound’s characteristics, stitches may be used to close deep cuts. However, some wounds with a high risk of infection may be left open to heal naturally, as closing them could trap bacteria inside.
• Tetanus Shot Review We will ask you about your tetanus vaccination history. Dog bites are considered deep, “dirty” wounds that carry a risk for tetanus, a serious bacterial illness. If your last tetanus booster shot was more than five years ago, a new shot will likely be administered to ensure you are fully protected.
• Antibiotic Treatment To prevent bacterial infections, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics are especially critical under the following circumstances:
  • Deep or extensive wounds
  • Bites located near joints or bones
  • Bites on the hands or feet
  • If you have a weakened immune system (e.g., due to diabetes, chemotherapy, or other medical conditions)
• Rabies Risk Assessment The medical team will ask several questions about the dog that bit you. We will need to know if it was a stray or a known pet, its vaccination status, and its behavior before and after the bite. This information is vital for determining your potential risk of exposure to rabies.

Understanding these assessments and potential treatments is the first step toward a safe and successful recovery.