When a dog bites

If you’re bitten by a dog, you should immediately clean the wound with water and then seek medical attention, said Dr. Jaime Primerano, chair of emergency services at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

“It’s not something you’d typically treat at home because it is considered to be a higher risk of infection than any simple cut,” said Primerano, adding that the hospital’s emergency department typically handles a few dog bites each week.

Doctors usually will treat bites with antibiotics to avoid infection and administer a tetanus shot if the patient hasn’t had one in more than five years. Though rare, rabies can be a risk if a dog is a stray or isn’t current with its vaccinations. In that case, patients can elect to receive a series of rabies shots. Ramos warns — and to instead strategically retreat to the nearest safe location where they can call a supervisor for help.

Ramos also has some tips for owners, including keeping dogs on a leash or fenced in.

“Basically, keep the dogs controlled,” he said.

While some postal carriers are traumatized after an attack, Ramos said he loves the job too much to let fear of another dog bite get in the way of it.

“It’s just like they tell you, if you fall off a horse, they say keep getting right back on again,” Ramos said. “I went right back.”

Contact Jessie Bekker at jbekker@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4563. Follow @jessiebekks on Twitter.