Dog bite- I'm an idiot **warning - images of wounds**

[eejitgothurt]

Name changed and posting for traffic. This morning I prevented a dog from darting into a busy main road, found the owners house and returned her. I got a nasty bite got my efforts. I realise now I was stupid to pick the little thing up but it was instinct to prevent the dog being hit by a car.
The owner had left the house door open and the dog had wandered off. Both dog and owner are elderly.
I've been to A and E as directed by my GP and been patched up but boy it hurts. I've got two nasty puncture wounds to my hand and two lots of antibiotics.
I have some questions now the shock has worn off (I'm not good with blood and it was pouring and I was already feeling ropey due to something else).

Has anyone got experience of this and if so how long did it take to heal?

When did it stop hurting like a bastard?

Do I need to report this to the police or dog warden? The dog was obviously scared and bit me for a reason. I was stupid and I accept that. I just never considered it would bite me like that. I'm not a dog person but overcame my fear years ago now. I'm glad the dog is safe and the owner was very nice when I returned her home. I declined her offer of going inside to wash the round as was not far from home, and covid of course.

Dog bites really sting because dog's mouths are full of bacteria. The bite I got (from a dog that was being walked off the lead that attacked me when I was out running!) was worse than that - larger, deeper puncture wounds and much more blood and bruising, but it didn't swell nearly as much as that. So on that basis I would go back to A&E tomorrow or try and get an appointment with your GP. I'm really concerned by how swollen your hand is.

I didnt report the dog that bit me and I really regret it as it went on to bite someone else quite badly (it was in the local newspaper).

There was localised inflammation, which is to be expected, but mine did not swell up like that.
Has your GP actually seen the bite since it swelled up? Keep taking the antibiotics but I would also take regular photos if it's getting worse so that you can show a doctor how things are progressing. Check your temperature too and if you start to feel unwell then I would get further advice but don't ignore it. It's better to be over cautious.

This is one of those scenarios where a dog would bite a beloved owner because it was scared and there would be no fault. I wouldn’t report it as long as you believe the dog truly got out by mistake.

I'm sorry you got bitten and hope you're better soon. You are NOT an idiot - you were kind and brave and could well have prevented a nasty car accident.

I'd be concerned about that level of swelling. Do keep the hand up, as you've noticed it helps with the throbbing and will help with the swelling.

Happened to me, but on the leg. I felt no pain after the initial bite which was a blessing, due to the massive swelling. I had to walk with a stick for four weeks and I’m permanently scarred. It took about 2 years for feeling to return but it’s still numb at the scars. The bruising lasted about 2 years too and the area is a bit grey compared to the rest of me. Police weren’t interested and nothing was done about the dog. It was a huge Great Dane and totally out of control. If it hadn’t bit me it would Have definitely killed my dog, I just happened to be in the way.

Bloody hell! Your hand is twice the size. I might take that swollen hand to A and E. Hope you are feeling better soon!

My sympathies . I ended up in hospital once after being bitten by a large dog . Yes it is painful . And unfortunately lasts for a while . I was in shock for a while as well .

I would get the swelling checked tomorrow if it does not go down .

Have you had a tetanus shot as well?

The swelling would concern me too, certainly enough to ring 111. When I was bitten there was no swelling at all.

I would definitely, 100% go to A +E with swelling like that.

I wouldn’t report the owner, normally I have a very low tolerance for dogs that are aggressive to people but in the situation you describe, the dog I imagine would have been very frightened and lashed out instinctively perceiving a threat.

You say you’ll stick with cats but tbh, I’d expect a cat to react entirely the same way in the situation you describe and while a cat can’t maul you like a big dog could, cats are well capable of inflicting seriously deep, nasty bites too that usually get infected.

I've got it resting in a pillow in bed and it feels better than it did thanks to painkillers. It's less swollen too for being fiat. There's no further tracking and I've marked my arm to show the edge of the track to monitor it. If there's no improvement or it's worse in the morning then I'll go straight to a&e. The GP assessed by video. I laboured the point about the tracking but he wasn't concerned. There's the odd bit of puss oozing out of the small hole on my thumb base. That hole wasn't even there yesterday. He's suggested encouraging the puss out but it hurts too much. From what most of you have said I'm unlucky with this level of swelling and I'll definitely be straight back if concerned. The wounds themselves look like nothing now but I was told it's a nasty bite by a&e and I guess they've seen plenty of them.
Thanks again.

I thought you weren’t supposed to ‘encourage’ puss out because you could push the infection further down...

I would get a second opinion and another look at the bite

I would get that checked as sorry to say DH was bitten last year in a very similar situation, strange random dog running about the dual carriageway but him on the wrist. Small puncture wound which ended in two surgeries! I hope you are fine but the surgeons said that it’s very common as dog bites are full of bacteria. It was the morning after the bite he had to go to a&e so all happened very quickly.

Aw OP, you did a lovely thing!
I've tackled (nicely) loads of runaway dogs, once grabbed a HUGE rottweiler in the middle of a busy A road during rush hour and I've been incredibly lucky to have never been bitten. I would do it again every time though! I'm glad you haven't reported, even though the dog was obviously a little shit, it must have been terrified though.
I hope you feel better soon, keep an eye on that tracking and if you feel it's getting worse and your GP isn't taking it seriously get down to A&E for a proper consult. They won't mind and it's worth it to avoid cellulitis/sepsis. Take care

I didn't have any pus coming out of my dog bite and it was worse, and deeper than that. Surely pus means it is infected?

I think you should get that seen again OP. I would be tempted to go to A&E tonight. I’m no medical expert, but my mum was bitten by a farm animal and given oral antibiotics which didn’t work. Despite taking them, she could see the infection tracking up her arm and the swelling and pain continued. She needed IV antibiotics to stop the infection.

If you’re already on antibiotics and signs of infection are worsening, you might need a more effective antibiotic.

How are you this morning?

Protocol might be different in the UK but in South Africa you aren't supposed to stitch dog bites if at all possible because of the risk of infection. I only know because my DH was a doctor in a hospital there & saw some terrible dog bites!

It's still very sore and quite warm and swollen but no further tracking, the tracking seems to have faded overnight too. I'm still going to go back to a&e though to get them to have another look. I don't feel too great but nothing drastic.

OP you did such a lovely thing by saving that dog. I’m really sorry it bit you. I would definitely get it seen again if there is pus

My hand looked exactly like that when I was bitten. I couldn't believe how swollen it was. It was right at the bottom of my thumb, I had puncture holes on both sides.
The hand was so swollen I couldn't move my fingers, I had blood followed by puss and the pain was unbearable.
It was a few years ago now but I believe it was swollen for around 3 days and then started to go down, but hurt for around a week. I still have a scar at the bottom of the thumb form the worst bit.
It was a 6 month puppy that bit me so can't imagine the pain from an adult dog.

May I just say, thank you for understanding why the dog bit and for not being a twerp about it.
I really hope you heal quickly OP, hopefully good karma coming your way. You deserve it x

💐you did the right thing to catch the dog, I would have picked it up without thinking too.

It does look like a nasty bite, don't hesitate to go back to A&E or get a referral from you GP to see a specialist as it's quite easy to do long term damage to your hands & early intervention makes a big difference!!

Oh & I wouldn't report it either. The dog was terrified & trying to defend itself, it wasn't vicious.

I hope your hand heals ok, that looks very swollen.

Please don't report to the dog warden. I think the poor little dog just reacted as it was fearful of a stranger. The elderly owner will hopefully be more careful in future and may be unnecessarily stressed by a visit from the dog warden.