help! dog bite

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gracejon
gracejon Member Posts: 972
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

pcp says I no longer need prophalatic antibiotics.  Has anyone is been told this?  Of course bite is on lymphedema side.  Dog bite small but punctured.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2013

    Oh, phooey, gracejon! Well, hopefully you washed it quickly and applied a topical antibiotic, and even more hopefully you actually won't need antibiotics. But you're certainly still at high risk of infection. So continue to keep it clean and protected, but watch it really carefully. (If it were me I'd even set my alarm for the middle of the night tonight and check for symptoms, since they can flare quickly.) If you notice ANY symptoms at all, get help AT ONCE. Here's what to look for, just as a review:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

    Always best to have a prescription filled and on hand, but not all of our doctors understand our risk. You might want to print this page out for your doctors (written by a doctor for doctors, and it mentions antibiotic needs):
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/essential informat for healthcare providers.htm

    Keep us posted--we're all here for you!
    Binney

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited January 2013

    May I add that you should verify that the dog that bit you is up to date on it's shots and that you are up to date on your tetanus shots. I had a similar thing happen several years ago and needed a tetanus shot. Thankfully the dog checked out just fine but he did tear a big hole in the sleeve of a favorite blouse! Take care.

    Caryn

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  • gracejon
    gracejon Member Posts: 972
    edited January 2013

    It is my dog.  We have 2 labs.  Alpha dog lab walks all over the other.  I was playing fair and making sure she got her bone since he ate his.  He went to grab it out of my hand.  All are up to date with shots including me.  If dogs can be remorseful (I believe they can), he was immediate in his OMG what did I do and showed his remorse in his doggie way.  He is 13 years old and just a bit more grumpy in his old age.

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  • gracejon
    gracejon Member Posts: 972
    edited January 2013

    Binney, nice to know you are still here for all of us.  Had I been wearing my glove, bite may not have gone through skin.  I do take risks in winter time that I can not do in the summer heat and humidity.  I'll copy and send the info to my primary doctor.  Thank you!

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited January 2013

    Phooey is right.  

    Dog bites aren't quite as terrible as cats, but I'd give you prophylactic antibiotics if you have lymphedema.  Would your onc do it?

    I do believe dogs can be remorseful: I've certainly seen it.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited January 2013

    Gracejon,

    Your post reminded me of an incident that my mother remembers with embarrassment. Our older poodle mix was getting grumpy as he aged.not quite sure what happened but he bit my mother really hard. She went to the ER and as she was being admitted, the clerk asked if she knew the dog that bit her. "My dog", she whispered."What?", the clerk shouted. "MY DOG!", she shouted in return as all the other waiting patients started laughing. She laughs too now, but she was so embarrassed at the time.

    Caryn

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  • Jennifer1295
    Jennifer1295 Member Posts: 244
    edited January 2013

    Came here to check for infomation on this very same thing. Was giving the dogs a treat and forgot our one dog takes her treats very quick. I usually just put hers down but forgot which dog it was and she got 3 fingers and my thumb. Only broke the skin on my thumb. I cleaned the hand, used anitbiotic cream and covered it with a bandaid. Fingers and hand are sore. This was my non LE side, however I had 3 SN's removed from this arm. Happened earlier today and I just took my bandaid off because I washed my hands and it got wet. It was still slowly bleeding (clotthing disorder) so I think I am going to play it safe and go to an urgent care place to be evaluated and ask for an antibiotic. My dog is current on her shots and I had a tetnus shot a few years ago after a cat scratch.  

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited February 2013

    I hope you gals with over zealous dogs are doing ok.

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