What should you know about dog bite sepsis?

A dog’s teeth can push bacteria deep into skin, muscle, or a joint. The local wound infection may be cellulitis, with spreading redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness. In some people, infection can affect the whole body and lead to sepsis. Sepsis is not the same as ordinary soreness around a fresh wound, and it cannot be confirmed from one symptom alone. A dog bite does not mean sepsis will develop, but changes in your health require prompt attention.

Wash the bite with soap and running water, control bleeding with gentle pressure, and cover it with a clean dressing. Arrange medical review for any bite that breaks the skin, particularly on the hand, face, foot, or near a joint. A clinician may clean the wound, check movement and sensation, assess tetanus protection, and prescribe antibiotics when indicated. Do not squeeze a puncture wound or close it with household products.

Go to emergency care if you develop confusion, faintness, difficulty breathing, very fast breathing, clammy skin, severe pain, or a marked feeling that something is seriously wrong. Fever, [Chills](/symptoms/chills/), [Feeling Generally Unwell](/symptoms/feeling-generally-unwell/), or [Generalised Weakness](/symptoms/generalised-weakness/) after a bite also deserves urgent assessment. A [Fever](/symptoms/fever/) with rapidly spreading wound redness or discharge can signal a worsening infection. Call emergency services if you are too unwell to travel safely.

Ask how deep the wound is, whether it needs imaging or specialist care, and which infection symptoms should trigger a return visit. Check whether you need antibiotics or tetanus protection. Tell the clinician when the bite occurred, whether the dog is known, and any immune condition or medicine that could affect healing.