Description Dog bites can becom...
Description
Dog bites can become infected if not treated appropriately but are less likely to become infected than cat bites. If the dog was large the bite can cause significant injuries to nerves, blood vessels, tendons and even break bones. Dog bites of the neck can potentially be life threatening.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bleeding, redness, red streaks up the arm or leg, bleeding, loss of function, fever.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical will be done. The skin affected by the dog bite will be examined, and the nerves and tendon function will be tested. At times an x-ray will done to rule out a fracture.
Tests:
Wound culture, X-ray
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice
Workup:
A history and physical will be done. The skin affected by the dog bite will be examined, and the nerves and tendon function will be tested. At times an x-ray will done to rule out a fracture.
Tests:
Wound culture, X-ray
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice
Treatment
All dog bites should be cleaned and washed. Any associated injuries to nerves, blood vessels, tendons or bones should be repaired. Antibiotics are generally given to prevent an infection. With an infection antibiotics will either be given by mouth or intravenously (IV) depending on the extent of the infection. The most common antibiotics used are cephalexin, clindamycin and levofloxacin. Dog bites of the face are usually repaired with sutures immediately, all other dog bites may be left open to heal without sutures.