Of course she was trying to bite you.

It may have been in the heat of the moment, but she just doesn't randomly chomp down on air and have hands sneak into her jaw.

Mike

When I was growing up, we had a darling boston terrier. He fell off the couch one day and slipped his kneecap. Mom went to help him and he grazed her hand with his teeth (barely broke the skin) because he was in such pain. The vet HAD to report the "bite" and Ace was quarantined at home for 2 weeks.

My second experience with a dog bite was our darling bulldog who bit my son's friend. It was unprovoked and ended in the worst possible way, but he, too, was quarantined.

Even though a dog is all up to date on rabies shots, vets are still required by law to issue quarantines. I think it's a good idea but a lot of hassle.

Kathy,

When your dog bites your arm deeply enough to call for stitches it is not an "accident." It may have been in the heat of paaion or excitement but not an accident. In many jurisdictions such a bite requires reporting by YOU and also by the physician that treated you.

Mike

Accident is probably not the right word - they were fighting over a bone and I reached in to remove the bone. Total stupidity on my part. She in no way was trying to bite me.

I understand your dilemma. Tooth scratches hurt, and your daughter will likely be in pain for a couple days at least. Just keep doing what you're doing, and keep an eye on it.

About four years ago, Buster & Slim (now deceased) decided to break into a fight in my bed, in the middle of the night while I was trying to sleep. Half-asleep, I reached over and tried to break them up. Slim's teeth caught me in the hand, and left me with two puncture wounds. I got the bleeding under control easily, but my hand was bruised and swollen for awhile. I couldn't do anything with my right hand for a few days (I'm right-handed). I never went to the doctor, and everything turned out just fine. I still have two small scars on my hand as a memory, though, and I will never get between a dog-fight again.

Oh Julie, he has been sooo much better lately - so this was a total 'freak' thing. Apollo just was playing and Skye was teasing him and that's how it happened.. but it's a nice scratch..the poor thing was so upset. Apollo knew something was wrong.

I'll keep an eye on it but just not sure if I should have called the doctor..
Thanks! Kisses to Bulldozer..
Pam

NOT over react.

Keep it clean. Remember that everything a child comes into contact with, they explore with their hands, so a kids hands get dirty often (therefore you need to clean them often with soap).

It will be sore, but my daughters have been scratched by Grandma's cat hundreds of times (if you ask me, a cat scratch is much worse then a dog bite), and it always heals.

Make your daughter play with the pup, or she might become scared of him. I wouldn't dwell on the bite, pass it off as, "Oops, those things happen with a learning puppy."

Pam it sounds like you are having a heck of a time with Apollo. Poor thing. Keep an eye on it. Keep putting neosporin on it and washing it. You might want to try some peroxide before putting the neosporin on it. But obviously if it gets worse you will have to bring her to the doctor. Good luck

Typically Augmentin is recommended for a dog bite.
This sounds like a little slice, though. I am sure she is up to date on her tetanus at her age. If you keep the area clean and Neosporin on it after cleaning with peroxide, you will have given her the best shot on avoiding antibiotics. Watch the area carefully for redness and swelling, particularly worsening and spreading. If that happens, take her on into the doctor. If you have any Augmentin or Keflex leftover from a previous ear infection or strep throat that she's been treated for, you might give it as directed if you are gutsy. Cat bites tend to be worse than dog bites as they can carry a bad bacteria unique to them that is fairly resistant to antibiotics. Good luck!

..I would take my daughter to the Doctore REGARDLESS of whether or not the dog would have to be reported. Obviously her health and wellness takes precidence. I was just wondering if a cut by a puppy would require doctor care or if it's not a worry and we would do just a good of a job to take care of the cut..

When Winston was a puppy he was very bitey-my grandma came to visit and got bitten-Winston did break the skin and she also developed redness around the bite-She wasn't too worried having had many dogs and bitey puppies in her lifetime-she just decided there must be something in his(Winston's) saliva that she is slightly allergic to. It went away-was just itchy and irritated like many cuts and scrapes when they are healing.

Best of luck to you-I wanted to share our similer expierence with u.

KB

Pam,

I think I may have misunderstood. I would assume that whether or not the Dr. has to report the circumstances has absolutly nothing to do with the decision as to whether or not your daughter goes to see the Dr.

Lois

I agree with everyone, but I just want to say - BE CAREFUL. I work in dog/cat grooming and occasionally people do get bitten where I work. If it swells - take her to the dr. I know 2 people who spent almost a week each in the hospital for bites (IV antibiotics)one was a little dog and another was a cat.
It will probably be ok, if it isn't swollen by now, it probably won't get infected.

Kris

n/m

I have scars on my face, nose, and ears from when our pups got me while playing. The nose was a deep one, and I'm sure that scar will be with me to the end.

Just keep the wound clean and she'll be "sound as a pound".

L.D.

you can give her children's motrin or advil (not tylenol) for the pain and swelling. This will help it heal faster, too. It takes away the inflammation. sorry, i forgot to add that..

Hi Pam. Well, right now i'm in medical school and I just finished my emergency room rotations. let me tell you...cat bite and human bite are WAY worse than a dog bite (scratch). Humans have far more bacteria harvested in their mouths than dogs (hard to believe). To clarify, if it was just a long scratch and not a puncture wound (a hole) you are in good shape. You NEVER want to put any type of petroleum type product (neosporin, bacitracin, etc) on any puncture wounds...the bacteria are anaerobic (live without oxygen) and putting ointment on top of a puncture wound seals the bacteria inside, not allowing it to go to the surface and it can spread to the blood stream. BUT if it was just a scratch, neosporin is fine. I would wash it with hydrogen peroxide (let it sit and fizz) dry it off well and put some bactracin (i prefer bactracin over neosporin--cheaper and works better). However, in a couple of days, when the wound has started to scab...do NOT use hydrogen peroxide...it breaks up the connective tissue (the protective scab) and it will take longer to heal (soap and water will be fine). You don't have to cover it with a bandaid...it's better to let it breath, but if you think she is going to get it dirty..cover it. Things to look for: increase swelling or redness, pus drainage or discharge, and the most important, a red streak coming from the area. I think she is fine. Just watch for signs of infection. (Has your bully had it's rabies shot?) Hope this helps..sorry so long, but I've seen SOOO many dog bites (ALL from pitbulls). Take care.

I agree with your plan of watching it for any infection. I got in the middle of a dog bone fight and Oreo accidently bit my forearm and it was so deep I had to go to the ER for stitches. Animal control was called and it was pretty scary to know that they could take my guys away if they wanted to. It turned out that they just put a quaranteen on them for 10 days, but if they think a child was involved who knows what would happen. Hopefully, it will heal up with no problems. I would expect it to be red and sore for a few days.

It's never a good idea to give "left over" antibiotics. Sorry. Bad advice. By not finishing antibiotic, or not taking enough for an infection, you could create resistant bacteria. Best bet is a doctor visit if it gets infected and topical (neosporin etc) doesn't work. Just my 2c since opinions were asked!