[sunshinemelissa]

I got bit in the hand today by a dog and it's pretty bad. not bad enough to go to the doctor, but it's kinda deep and hurts real bad. I know that there are no rabies because it's my friends dog, but is there anything else I should be worried about. It did break the skin and bleed. Is the doctor necessary?

 

[Robert]

If its kinda deep and it hurts, you should have it checked because even though you may not feel it is bad, it still might require some form of treatment, including, not limited to, proper cleaning and stitches.

Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[GhostUser]

Robert is absolutely right. It could easily become infected.

 

[*sprout*]

did the dog bite you out of aggresion or like playfullness ?

but i like agree with robert also

 

[TreeManEarthSteward]

Yelp!

Hope your hand fully heals in quick time!

 

[shewolf]

Even a friend's dog can have rabies from what I've read... even dogs that have been vaccinated can still contract rabies. Better safe than dead IMO.

 

[JLRodgers]

Unless somethings changed though... animals have to be killed to test them for rabies, and no test exists to test humans, only a series of painful shots.

Definately get it looked at though... may have damaged a tendon or something even.

-edit-

There's now a series of (painful?) biopsies that humans go through, then a series of painful shots if they do have it.

 

[scareyvegan]

jlr, i think sometimes they put dogs in quarintine for a set amount of time for observation...

if the dog seems healthy after so long, they clear it for rabies

the shots for humans arent so bad as they used to be... i used to live across the street from this kid who got bit by a rabid dog... he said it wasnt too bad

melissa, you should definitely have your bite looked at...

infection is a real risk because even though dogs mouths are cleaner than humans... theres still lots of bacteria that thrive there

Caroline

 

[sunshinemelissa]

Quote:

Originally posted by *sprout*

did the dog bite you out of aggresion or like playfullness ?

but i like agree with robert also

It was out of aggression. There is a hole in the screen door that the dog peeks it's head through. My friend wanted me to meet him and when I went to pet him, he bit me. I think he was worried becasue he was outside and I was inside with his "pack". My friends kids were there too. I don't think I came at him slow enough. He gripped on for a second, there are puncture wounds on both sides of the hand, then when I pulled my hand out of the mouth, my pinkie got pretty badly scratched up. It's also bruised from how hard he bit down too. I'm going to the doctor, thanks guys.

 

[Miss Meg]

I'm glad you are getting it looked at........wounds can get infected real fast......better to treat it before that happends.

I was bit by a friend's dog once and now I have to admit I am a little afraid of dogs....I still love them....but I'm a little afraid.

 

[mushroom]

I think you should go to the doctor and I hope your friend pays all medical treatment...

 

[GhostUser]

I do know that in some places, if you go to a hospital/ER for treatment of a dog bite, they are required to notify animal control and the dog will be impounded.

My aunt's bassett hound bit her hand quite badly while still woozy from anesthetic after surgery...the animal control people were going to impound (and possibly euthanize) the dog, until my uncle and the vet convinced them that the dog was still not in its normal state of mind.

We don't have this ordinance in my area, but I have been bitten by my parents' dog. Actually, it's more of a nip, she's never broken the skin...and she only does it when she's just coming out of a seizure (she's epileptic). Whoever sits with her to keep her safe during the seizure needs to move away a foot or two as she comes out, because she occasionally will nip or growl if someone is too close to her at that time.

If this dog bit out of aggression, your friend needs to curb it immediately, and IMO should pay for your medical bills. Responsible dog owners shouldn't let their dogs be overly aggressive.

 

[MisaLady]

I agree that your friend should pay for the medical bills - or, as a compromise, at least half of them.

Go get it looked at by doctor.

... but at home(before you see a doctor, because they will tell you what to do afterwards), make sure that you have hydrogen peroxided it.

Be emphatic about your friend getting her dog trained better.

You could also ice your hand. That should help with some of the swelling.

But above all, see a doctor.