Dog bite
About Dog bite
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 & Diagnostics
A history and physical will be done. The bite will be explored and the nerves and tendon function will be tested. At times an x-ray will done to rule out a fracture.Common tests: Wound culture, X-ray.
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
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.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Family Practice
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Dog bite.