To go to hospital? Dog bite

[onestepat]

My dad has been bitten by our rescue dog.
It's pretty deep and is bleeding.
I've told my dad to put a bandage on.
It's on his hand.
My dad said he doesn't need to go but I think he does.
Will he need a tetanus?
He had one 5 years ago but I'm assuming a booster might be needed.
Aibu to tell him to go to hospital ?
Or just ring GP in the morning

[stophuggingme]

He needs medical attention

[HappyHammy]

he would be better going to hospital to get it cleaned properly and a tetanus jab if the doctor thinks he needs one

[stophuggingme]

Sorry that should add “tonight”

[Mumoblue]

Yeah, he needs to be seen tonight. They'll want to do a tetanus and make sure it's cleaned properly.

[bluefoxmug]

he needs medical attention.
not so much for tetanus, but because a dog's mouth is full of bacteria and because having functioning hands is pretty important.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I’d go, might turn septic.

[Sarah510]

It depends how deep it is... my dog bit me a couple of weeks ago :( but I soaked it in Dettol and put a plaster on and it was fine. Once my son got bitten though and the next morning his whole hand was swollen, so I took him to a&e. I think he got antibiotics. If it doesn't swell up and he thinks it's cleaned he is probably ok... but that's just IMO. He might know himself. How is the dog. Its scary isn't it.

[Nottherealslimshady]

Hospital. Needs cleaning properly. All bites that break the skin need medical attention. As the doctor at hospital told me when mine got infected and nearly took my hand off.
Better safe than sorry.

[AnnieMaul]

My FIL was bitten quite badly on his hand a couple of years ago and he was reluctant to go to hospital too so we went to the nearest walk in centre rather than A&E. The nurse who treated him said he was right to come in. She cleaned it and correctly dressed it for him. He then had to go back every day for a couple of weeks to have the wound cleaned and dressing changed to prevent infection as they don't sew up bites she said. He didn't need a tetanus.
I think if you ring GP in the morning they'll just tell you that it needs to be looked at, so it's up to you whether you go in now or then, but ultimately I think the advice would be to have it seen.

[daisy118]

Yes definitely to A and E,cat bite on my finger resulted in 3 nights in hospital,wound washed out under GA!intravenous antibiotics,then oral ABs and I sought medical advise within 4 hours.

[ProudMarys]

Call NHS 111 before you go and they will give you the right advice!

[Seventytwoseventythree]

Doctor here, when I worked in A&E we saw plenty of dog bites and PPs are correct they need cleaning and also a course of antibiotics as they are dirty wounds compared to eg. a kitchen knife cut. I would take him.

[onestepat]

Can GP surgeries do tetanus shots or does it have to be a&e or walk in clinics ?

[BeeFarseer]

Yes, go - that's an A&E job.

Seconding the advice that any bite to break the skin needs medical attention. My dad wss nipped by my childhood hamster and ended up extremely ill.

[Toddlerteaplease]

He'll need a tetanus and antibiotics.

[Custardcreamies101]

Call NHS 111 before you go and they will give you the right advice

They will say a&e....any penetrating dog bite needs to be check out (work for 111)

[Minniee]

Yeah he'll have to go.

Has your dog bitten before?

[Whereisthechicken]

My dog bit me a few weeks ago which left me with a few deep cuts on my ankle. I went to the hospital rather reluctantly because I'm sheilding but was glad I did. They cleaned it properly, put a dressing on it and gave me some antibiotics just in case. They don't stitch or glue dog bites as the risk of infection is higher so he'll need to be careful with an open wound for a few weeks until it heals.

[onestepat]

Will I be allowed to go to A&e with him ?
I might go and wait outside
I don't want him to go alone
He said he will go up at 7 am in the morning

[onestepat]

@Minniee yes he bit me last year.
He had been badly abused my his last owners.
I think he has ptsd

[Whereisthechicken]

Also, the doctor asked me if I'd had a tetanus shot in the last five years to which I replied I hadn't but I still wasn't given one. Just got antibiotics and extra dressings

[StoneSourFan]

He should have his lifetime immunity for tetanus especially if he had one 5 years ago.
He needs to be seen in A&E/minor injuries incase there is any underlying damage and for antibiotics.

[Jeleste]

Tetanus shot is supposed to last 10 years i think. I worked at a vet clinic and we were required to get the shot every 10 years.
But he definitely needs medical attention. Dog teeth are dirty and small but deep wounds like that can easily get infected.

[HappyHammy]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/animal-and-human-bites/

[Whereisthechicken]

My friends to me to the hospital (about 2 or 3 weeks after lockdown started) as the bite was on my ankle and I couldn't really drive the 30 mins myself. We both went into the hospital, both had our temperature taken and then waited together in the waiting room. When I went into a room to get treated, they had to soak my foot for 30 mins and nicely went and found my friend so she could wait with me.