Even if you are an animal lover, you understand the importance of respecting unfamiliar dogs. After all, when dogs are experiencing pain or stress, they often behave both unpredictably and aggressively. Some individuals even train their pups to be unnecessarily vicious.
During a dog attack, you are vulnerable to deep lacerations, broken bones, nerve damage and psychological injuries. Alarmingly, some dogs are also capable of detaching fingers, arms, ears or other body parts. Your amputation risk may not end when the attack does, though.
Infection
Dogs have millions of germs under their claws and in their mouths. One of these, Capnocytophaga, can cause a rare but deadly infection in humans. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, severe Capnocytophaga infection leads to death in about 30% of cases.
When explaining their treatment plan for a bite-related infection, doctors may recommend amputation. That is, if the infection is running rampant in one of your extremities, surgeons may have little choice but to remove the limb to save your life.
Nerve and tissue damage
Each part of your body has dozens of nerves, arteries, veins and soft tissues. If you sustain catastrophic trauma during a dog attack, your extremities simply may not be salvageable. Doctors may advise amputation to prevent sepsis, septic shock or other complications from your soft tissue injuries.
Even if your amputation involves a small part of your body, your life is never going to be the same again after it. Ultimately, by pursuing financial compensation from the dog’s owner, you may be able to receive the top-grade medical care you deserve.