Huge Dog Bite/Day From Hell

[Kenzie]

We were at a show today and before taking Kenz into the ring I was outside have a cigarette. Make a long story short, some one on their way into the building dropped their dog leash, the dog took off running straight towards me, and I heard the owner yell "Grab him, PLEASE!" I spead my arms out, and the Rotti came straight towards me. When he got to me, as I outreached my hand he took a big bite! It's between the thumb and index finger, if you have a week stomach don't go any further, but you can see all the fat and bone. There's no nerve damage as I can feel and move my thumb, mainly, I just a huge gaping would. Somehow, his bottom teeth only left bruising on my palm.

I've had stitches once and swore never again, so what I'm wondering is will this finally close and heal properly? Really don't want to see a doc (phobia, lol) but I am worried. To make matters worse, the stupid owner took off immediately, the show secretary said all show dogs are usually up to date with shots etc. I don't know how I'll show Kenz in the ring tomarrow, my thumb is soooooo sore. I've disinfected the would, and pushed all the skin together and used those medical tape strips and it stopped bleeding after about 20 minutes. Anyone have any experience with anykind of huge to the bone gaping wound, if it healed on it's own? Thanks everyone

 

[joce]

Puncture woulds like bites really need cleaned out. If you really refuse to go in open it as much as possible and flush it with some sterile water.

 

[Kenzie]

Edited to add to Orig.Post

I cleaned it with antibacterial spray, thanks

Edited to add: there's a couple of small puncture wounds, but it's more of a wide gaping wound, where the 2 pieces of flesh have to be pushed together. I think I must have pulled my hand away during the bite, so it's like there's a big tear and a piece missing, but I can push it together, you clearly see the fat and down to the bone approx 1" wide and 3 inches long

 

[Jules]

And why aren't you at the doctor? If you can see bone, there would be no question about it if it was my hand, and I'm not excited to go to a doc either!
Plus, don't you have any witnesses? I mean, someone must be able to identify owner and dog so they can cover your medical expenses!
Plus the secretary said that "usually" all dogs are on their shots?! I would be at the hospital getting my shots just in case if I was you.

 

[gulliver]

you need to get past your fears of the doc for this. Not worth losing your hand over. Infections are nasty and it might be less painful messing with a fresh wound than one that is in the process of mending its self. Hope you heal quick.

 

[bubbatd]

I hope by now you are stitched up !! You may not have infections, but the scaring could really be a problem if not properly treated. Sometimes nerve endings are involved .... a doctor's visit would only involve numbing and stitches. Why are you against stitches ??

 

[Zoom]

Doctor's usually won't stitch close dog bites because of the risk of infection. However, they can professionally clean and evaluate it so that you don't get gangrene and/or lost mobility in that hand.

I would HIGHLY recommend seeing a doc, and keeping that thing slathered with Neosporin until then.

 

[MyIrishWolfie]

Go to the ER or something... like soon!

 

[blue]

Why am I not seeing any pictures?!

 

[Debi]

I certainly would expect the owner to pay medical costs. and the risk of infection would scare the bejeebers out of me...more so than the phobia of a doc. no matter what you think, you really can't cleanse it like it needs to be done. hope it is fixed up by now, and you are feeling better! scarey!!!!

 

[Swiftwind]

I agree, I suggest you go to the doctor and get it checked out. You don't want to regret not going if it becomes infected or never heals properly (I do understand how your phobia would prevent you from going to the doctors though, you've just got to work up your courage. What's the worst that could happen there? Much worse could happen if you just left your bite alone and didn't get it attended to properly). I've cut my hand roughly in the same place you were bitten and it was down to the bone. It took ages to heal proplery and I still have a small scar from it.

There's no guarantee that this dog was up to date on its shots.

 

[rowdy ridgeback]

You have to go into the doctor. You will need some kind of stitches. They sometimes use a really neat type of glue now. The main concern though is that you will get infection. They will also give you some antibiotics. Losing your hand due to infection would be a lot worse than getting stitches. Once infection gets in there, it grows rapidly. The over the counter cream is not going to be enough. You really need to find the owner. One is that she did not seem concerned for you and she also has a dog that will bite. Maybe she knew this. You really need to pursue things with her though. That wound will not heal on its own without some sort of stitches. I really think you will get some form of infection as well. Staphe is Very painful. I know this from experence.

 

[Julie]

What??
The dog owner left?
I would be p*ssed enough to try to find out who she is.
She needs to pay for your medical bills........WHEN you go
to the doctor.
I would be more concerned if the dog had his shots or not.
If the dog can't be found, the doctors would probably reccomend
post exposure rabies vaccinations for you. And any other shots that
would need updating.

What a irresponsible dog owner!

I hope you find out who she is.

 

[polly_pop]

What everyone else said -- you REALLY need to see a doctor ASAP. Even if you can move and feel your fingers and thumb, you may still have some nerve or tendon damage. Plus, the risk of infection is real and scary. And like everyone said, there is no guarantee that the dog is UTD on its vaccinations.

Hope your hand heals up nicely, and that you find that owner and get some kind of justice or compensation or apology or something.