To go back to the vet?

[NewYoiker]

Dog got bitten on Friday.

Went to the vet on Saturday afternoon.

Got some antibiotics and no stitches as it's infected.

Now it looks likes it's breaking down and he's in pain. Is it worth going back? I really am worried about him.

I'd go back and ask for painkillers.

It doesn't look too bad to me, but it is normal for more bits to die off and slough off before it starts to heal from the inside out, and that might well be uncomfortable.

It is also likely he has some bruising and soreness that have taken a few days to have their full effects.

Your poor dog!

It doesn't look too bad to me, but if you are at all worried, then go back to the vet tomorrow for a chat about what to expect and what to worry about. And yes, painkillers.

To get stitches the wound needs to be fresh. 24 hrs is usually too long. To be honest the wound doesn't look too bad to me, but I am used to the mess horses make of themselves. My horse had a bigger wound on his backside that the vet just trimmed the hanging muscle from and didn't stitch. Has healed really well. This is before it haired over. It was a large gaping wound initially. The vet could get her pinky all the way in. It wasn't stitched due to having a pocket that could have gotten an infection. Healed beautifully now.

Ha maybe I'm just being precious! I just really feel for him

I'd take him back if you think he's in pain. They should be able to give him some painkillers as well as check the wound is improving. I'm a bit of a softie with animals too, nothing wrong with that.

He's gorgeous. Hope he's feeling better and back to him old self soon. 🐾

A lot of the time dog bites are like ice bergs, they look small in the surface but there's more damage underneath. Just wondering how much they explored the wound. But to worry you unduly, I'm sure he is in good hands.... equally if you are concerned then definitely take him back, if only for reassurance (and pain relief!)

I would give the vets a ring and explain that you think he is in pain..... They should offer you an appointment

I am a human, not a vet nurse. However, if your mate is in pain, needs to be addressed.Anti inflammatories work well with dogs in my experience as a dog owner. Wound itself will clear up with antibiotics to judge from the photo. It does look a bit bad but will heal I think ( again, photos) Might scar- I think it will. Poor wee dog! 😷

Vet nurse here. If your dog wasn't prescribed anti-inflammatory painkillers then that's disgraceful. Ring and ask them to explain why they didn't. Then ignore whatever excuse they offer and ask them to dispense some.

Oh sorry - and if the wound is breaking down then it can be managed as an open wound (not ideal, takes far longer and will leave scarring etc) or go to surgery to remove the edges back to a clean surgical wound state and sutured together. Will heal in >10 days if no underlying infection. I hate to mention it but as antibiotics were thrown around like sweeties for so long there is a real problem with multiresistant bugs so if it's not healing ask for a swab and culture to make sure the antibiotics are appropriate for the bugs that are there. Good luck, poor wee lad!!

Thats an open wound - go back

They have left the wound open to stop infection, the edges look like granulation is taking place which is good, but not pretty, but yes take him back if you are concerned so they can give the wound a quick check.

Aww poor boy. He definitely needs some pain killers, he shouldn’t be left suffering. Do take him back. I’d rather be precious than let him suffer. Give the vet practice a ring and see what they say as they may be happy to prescribe over the phone.

Did they not give him a painkilling injection at the time?

Hey, veterinary nurse here! I would absolutely see your vet about this wound. Stitches in an infected wound can be a bad idea as the skin isn't necessarily healthy enough to hold them in place and infected tissue doesn't heal well. If he's in pain, please see the vet. Animals are incredibly stoic so if he's showing you pain then he really is in pain! What vets do for small animals Vs horses is different too, so please always consult your vet. Hope this helps

100% go back. My bichon x got attacked in Feb. I lost count of the number of times I called my vet for follow up advice and they were brilliant. If you’re not confident in your clinic’s care get a second opinion. The clinic should also be documenting your dog’s care (clinical notes/pictures etc) for your local animal authority. I know each case is different and we had our girl at the vet’s within 30 min of the attack and she needed surgery. She was on antibiotics, anti-inflam, a sedative and a fentynal patch on her bum and she was very sorry for herself for quite sometime! It’s tough caring for wounded pets but it helps if you have amazing vets and nurses.

Totally agree with everyone saying if he is in pain to take him back

Personally I think that could be debrided and sutured maybe with a drain insitu. At the very least it could do with being smothered in medical grade manuka honey and covered with a dressing.

He's gorgeous.

Get him some metacam, poor lad. Hope you both feel better soon

Give the vets a call - I'm sure they will be happy to advise, and can get you an appointment if you want it checking. That wound isn't suitable for stitching at the moment and will take a couple of weeks to heal. However they can give you painkillers if you think he needs them.

I rang and got him some metacam, they cleaned it up again but won't stitch it. He seems w lot happier with pain killers on board!

I'm pleased he has something for the pain now and he seems happier. Hopefully it will heal quickly for him.

Keep loading him with the painkillers. Mine had a bite, very small, but it then spread, turned into multiple pus filled cysts , so lots of skin was removed eventually (after 3 different vets pissing about with antibiotics despite me telling them it wasn’t healing. I eventually demanded they cut out the infection, the vet who did the op said there was no way it would have healed without the removal).

Hi I'm a vet and because its infected we wont stitch it to start with but please if he is pain take him back first thing tomorrow to get it sorted dont want the infection to spread

They don’t stitch bites, it’s the same with people. They don’t want to trap bacteria in which could cause really nasty deep infections (animal mouths contain lots of bacteria). Keeping the wound open (unstitched) allows the body to expel any nasties out of the wound as part of the natural healing process. Obviously you can still get infections but they are much more likely (and likely to be deeper and nastier) if the body can’t drain the bacteria through normal means.