Painful dog bite

Introduction

Dog bite is a serious mishap, even more serious when you take into consideration that dogs, in this cases, most often bite the face, especially if they attack children. The injuries may manifest themselves through various forms. They may include minor or more serious lacerations, fractured bones, bruises, scars, and many other. It is of extreme importance for one to act timely and visit the doctor if bitten, since numerous infections and even rabies can be considered the worst case scenario.

How To React?

First of all, a visit to the doctor is a must. Since, as mentioned before, a dog bite can have many different consequences and outcomes, it is of utmost importance that one seeks medical attention and advice. If the patient has been bitten in the facial area, the doctor will look for any possible nerve damage and/or bone fractures. In all other cases, the severity of the wound or wounds has to be taken into consideration. Since, almost always, dog bite leaves punctures, lacerations, ruptures and similar deformities onto one's body and skin, all these need to be taken care of immediately. Finally, tests and examinations must be conducted in order to rule out infections and any diseases which might be a product of the bite. If some of the latter are the case, vaccines and therapies are introduced in order to cure the victim and prevent tragic outcomes. Besides rabies, C canimorsus presents the most dangerous and life-threatening infection, possibly resulting even in death, thus only emphasizing the necessity of timely medical action.

The Most Usual Medical Treatment

As mentioned above, many things have to be stopped and prevented in the patient's body after dog bite. Thus, vaccines and injections which prevent rabies, as well as tetanus and similar medicines are given to the patient. Afterwards, the wounds are cleaned and disinfected, disabling any external infections. Scans of different sorts may be necessary in order to check for any possible fractures or bone and tissue damage.

In cases when the patient waits after being bitten, before he or she visits the doctor, the wound needs to be examined and checked for advanced infections or bacterial activity. For these purposes, a sample is taken and examined under a microscope.

Depending on the severity of the injury, the doctor may simply, disinfect and close the wound in less serious cases, or suggest further steps in those more severe cases. Additional procedures involve removal of the damaged tissue, nerve repairing and many other similar actions. More actions need to be taken in cases of facial bites than in those regarding any bitten extremities.

Finally, after recovering from the plastic or orthopedic surgery, the patient might be in shock since he or she has had a traumatic experience, and might need psychological therapy in order to regain his or her own self and overcome the trauma.