medical peeps ~ Dog bite????

[Catrin]

I just spoke with a friend of mine who is a nurse. She used to work in a prison where there were dogs and sometimes the prisoners would get bitten Needless to say, she has seen quite a few dog bites in her career.

She is wondering what is happening beneath the skin and mentioned a few words I didn't want to hear - but of course she hasn't seen it. She also wonders about the drainage - and in her opinion the ER doc should have given me Keflex rather than Augmentin. I don't know anything about all of that - but will call my dr first thing tomorrow morning.

Glad that your wound is healing, that is great news! My finger hurt in sympathy when I read your description on what happened!

[owlice]

Catrin, if you are allergic to any drugs, that can definitely influence the choice of antibiotic prescribed. I cannot take whatever the "gold standard" drug of choice for cat bites is because I have a sensitivity to penicillin, which the first choice drug contains. So I'm on an also-ran, which is okay by me since it seems to have done the trick! (For the record, the bite isn't on a finger, but on the back of my hand, with the biggest wound between my thumb and wrist, where the nerve that goes up the inside of my thumb is. He literally not only bit the hand that feeds him, he also literally hit a nerve. That's why I have a "loss of sensation" in my thumb.)

Have you felt the wounded area to see if it feels squishier than it usually feels? If you've got stuff draining, I'm a little surprised you don't have any swelling, but maybe it just isn't very obvious and you have a pool of .... something... under your skin that is very diffuse. (Isn't that a charming picture I've painted for you, of a diffuse pool under your skin? Ick. I'm sorry!!)

Good luck at the doctor's!

[Catrin]

I am unaware of penicillin sensitivity, which he oral med is based on. Your injury sounds about as fun as mine!

I poked around the wound site, gently, and found no squishiness. However when I touched the area outside of where it is red, it made my wound hurt for about 10 minutes... I hope it is healing from the inside out rather than the opposite, but we will see what my dr says.

[Selkie]

It took about six weeks for a bad dog bite I sustained to completely heal. The puncture wounds (teeth) healed much quicker but where the dog gnawed my leg took longer. Doctor would not renew my antibiotic script (had a seven day supply) and the wound stayed infection free, covered and treated with neosporin. YMMV.

[Catrin]

Thanks Selkie, that is helpful. There was even more drainage this morning where the puncture/gnaw wounds are and there appeared to be some white stuff - but that could have been from the Hibiclens that I use to clean it though I could be in denial about that. Hopefully dr can fit me in this morning.

[emily_in_nc]

Good luck, Catrin. I know you'll feel more comfortable getting an MD's opinion. So sorry this happened to you.

[Catrin]

He gave me a shot of antibiotics and will send me to a special wound clinic at my hospital if it isn't healed over in a week. I have to say that was the most painful shot I have ever had P

[Jolt]

She is wondering what is happening beneath the skin and mentioned a few words I didn't want to hear - but of course she hasn't seen it. She also wonders about the drainage - and in her opinion the ER doc should have given me Keflex rather than Augmentin. I don't know anything about all of that - but will call my dr first thing tomorrow morning.

That would be my concern as well (what is happening deeper down)--it seems like there should be at least some improvement after more than a week. As for the antibiotic, Augmentin is the drug of choice for animal bites (assuming no allergy to either of the components)--Keflex is used for other skin/wound infections but bites are different because there is a particular type of bacteria (Pasteurella) in animals' mouths.

[Crankin]

Keep us posted on the recovery.
That shot sounds awful!

[Catrin]

That would be my concern as well (what is happening deeper down)--it seems like there should be at least some improvement after more than a week. As for the antibiotic, Augmentin is the drug of choice for animal bites (assuming no allergy to either of the components)--Keflex is used for other skin/wound infections but bites are different because there is a particular type of bacteria (Pasteurella) in animals' mouths.

This makes sense, Dr said the bite is in a bad place on my leg and there is some concern over the healing since I am a diabetic (type 2) though it is very much under control. He won't be renewing the generic Augmentin, I guess the shot was also a strong antibiotic for skin infections though I can't remember the name of it. Da** painful though.

Thanks for the support everyone, it is appreciated. My family and friends at church start freaking a bit when I mention it - my Mom is convinced I will get rabies - so don't really have a good place to go for support. It also helps that TE women have so many talents and skills

Oh yes, he says that the more active I am the better it is for it keeps the blood moving in my leg - so I can construe that as a prescription for cycling

[emily_in_nc]

Oh yes, he says that the more active I am the better it is for it keeps the blood moving in my leg - so I can construe that as a prescription for cycling

Super OWIE on the shot! I am a huge pain weenie (I found the series of HepA/B shots I got for travel pretty painful, while my DH hardly felt 'em -- one left me sore for a week+ also), so I DO feel your pain.

On the bright side, it's great that you can ride -- and it's actually therapeutic!

[OakLeaf]

Ouch. As if the bite wasn't bad enough.

Hope it heals quick!

[Catrin]

Rain and wind PLEASE go away so I can follow my dr's orders and ride - thankfully I CAN go to spinning class tonight. I would far rather ride outside however, but such is life. I will take what I can get

[Catrin]

The wound actually feels less sore today Apparently that horrible shot was needed! Now I just want to see some signs of actual healing so I can avoid the wound care center - though Dr did say yesterday he saw some signs of it - just not as much as he wanted to see.

Hopefully the weather will allow me to ride tonight so I can further assist the healing process - after all I should follow medical advice