Hospital Visits Involving Dog Bites

In a study published by The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality dog bite injuries requiring hospitalizations almost doubled over a 15-year period. Some surprising highlights are very telling. Serious bite injuries can have life long implications, both physical and emotional as well. From the initial trauma of the attack, to the cost of medical treatment and possible ongoing physical or emotional therapy, the effects are considerable.
Over the period studied, there is an increase of over eighty percent in dog -related hospitalizations. Being hospitalized for these types of injuries can result in incurring significant medical expenses. Treatments may be needed for serious injuries such as tendon tears, muscle damage, and infections. Hospitalizations for injuries suffered by being bitten by a dog are $6,000.00 more expensive than average injury related hospitalizations. Per day costs for these injuries are approximately $5000.00 compared to $2000.00 per day for a normal injury stay.
Some of the most common diagnoses for dog bite injuries which involved hospitalizations included skin and tissue infections, open wounds of extremities and open wounds of the trunk, head, and neck. Other common injuries also include limb fractures, crushing injuries and internal injuries. A”simple” dog attack can have surprising ramifications. It may not initially be clear just how dangerous the injuries may be. Untreated or under-diagnosed injuries may lead to serious complications, including death. Do not think that because little Fido barely broke the skin, that you are not seriously injured. The wounds from bites can involve a bone crush or break and tear tendons and muscles without any actual open wounds.