Dog bite. Update on page 2.

[McDISer]

Would you trust your neighbor if they told you,
their dog is updated with their shots?

I got out of my car and saw the newspaper lady and her dd, standing in front of my house. The neighbor across the street and her dd, were trying to catch her dog. It is the kind of dog from the movie "Little Rascals". Anyhow, I was walking to my house, and the dog ran towards me, and I thought it was our other's neighbor dog, and I yelled, "Shelby go home." Shelby is not trained to well, and always jumps on me. But that is another story.

Anyway, as fast as the dog ran towards me, and bit me and ran away. It was like getting bit by a bee. I thought, why did Shelby bite me. Then I realized it wasn't Shelby, or was a different dog.

I yelled, "hey the dog bit me," "does it have it's shots?"
The owner was still trying to catch the dog at this point, and really didn't care that I got bit.

The newspaper lady asked if I was okay, and I was.

10 minutes later my neighbor came over and was shocked to see that my leg was bleeding from the bite, plus it was black/blue around the bite. I was wiping it with a "alcohol pad" from my emergency kit.

It still hurts, you can see the marks.

Would you trust that the dog received it's proper shots?
My neighbor is actually my mom's best friend since childhood,
and she has actually known me, since I've been born.

I know absolutely nothing about dogs.
I'm just afraid, even though my neighbor said the dog has received it's shots.
Should I just remain calm about this and trust them?

 

[shortbun]

At the very least, I'd go get it cleaned out and report it. Dog bites can get really infected. I'd ask for the shot records because without them some docs would ask you to get the rabies series which can be toxic.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Would you trust your neighbor if they told you,
their dog is updated with their shots?

I got out of my car and saw the newspaper lady and her dd, standing in front of my house. The neighbor across the street and her dd, were trying to catch her dog. It is the kind of dog from the movie "Little Rascals". Anyhow, I was walking to my house, and the dog ran towards me, and I thought it was our other's neighbor dog, and I yelled, "Shelby go home." Shelby is not trained to well, and always jumps on me. But that is another story.

Anyway, as fast as the dog ran towards me, and bit me and ran away. It was like getting bit by a bee. I thought, why did Shelby bite me. Then I realized it wasn't Shelby, or was a different dog.

I yelled, "hey the dog bit me," "does it have it's shots?"
The owner was still trying to catch the dog at this point, and really didn't care that I got bit.

The newspaper lady asked if I was okay, and I was.

10 minutes later my neighbor came over and was shocked to see that my leg was bleeding from the bite, plus it was black/blue around the bite. I was wiping it with a "alcohol pad" from my emergency kit.

It still hurts, you can see the marks.

Would you trust that the dog received it's proper shots?
My neighbor is actually my mom's best friend since childhood,
and she has actually known me, since I've been born.

I know absolutely nothing about dogs.
I'm just afraid, even though my neighbor said the dog has received it's shots.
Should I just remain calm about this and trust them?

NO, you need proof that the dog had its shots.

Dogs can carry VERY serious germs that can cause MAJOR systemic infections....not to scare you, but SERIOUSLY, I know someone that nearly lost a limb cause "it was just a nip"....if it broke skin, you MAY need a tetanus IF the dog is not up to date on all shots.
In addition, pls let the owner know and THEY should be reporting it to their homeowners carrier....if you need to have shots it cam be $$$$ BUT, a HO policy has "med pay to others" and THEY can pay for this.........
More importantly, the owner should provide you with written proof of ALL shots AND if they cannot, pls see a doctor and PLEASE notify the dog warden, it could have been a child and it can get serious very quickly...sometimes it just "goes bad" .nothing to joke about with broken skin.............
Best of Luck!!

 

[agnes!]

DO NOT TRUST YOUR NEIGHBOR'S WORD. I would repeat that but I figured shouting would get the point across just as well.

A couple of thoughts...
1) The bite must be reported to Animal Control. The owner will have to produce records of all shots.
2) The dog will probably have to be at least quarantined for a certain time.
3) Sorry, I'm going to shout again...
ARE YOUR TETANUS SHOTS up-to-date? If not, you MUST get one NOW.
4) You should probably go to the ER (yes, I mean it) tonight. Mouths are filthy business, and animal bites can go deep. I had a cat-bite a while back and had to go to the ER for an emergency tetanus shot (they were in short supply that year) and be put on antibiotics. If infection gets a foothold and you wait a day or two...trust me, you really don;t want to go that route.

Please do NOT wait. In this case it is very much better to be safe than sorry.

5) You really have to report this bite. If I were in your shoes and this dog subsequently bit a child, I would feel terrible.

agnes!

 

[5 for WDW]

My son was bitten by our neighbor's dog last year. It broke the skin and left him with a nasty bruise. He was put on antibiotics right away. I felt really bad about having to ask for proof of the dog's vaccines so, (I know this is bad so, please no flames) I told them the Dr had to see the records. I told them it was the Dr's procedure for a dog bite. I just didn't want to offend them by acting like I did not believe them. I was sure they were being honest but, I needed to see it for myself. They handed over the records with no problems at all. These neighbor's are friends of ours as well.

I would definitely see a Dr to make sure the wound is clean and see if they want to put you on antibiotics. Good luck to you!

 

[McDISer]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I really had no idea.
I called my neighbor last evening at 9:30 p.m. and she didn't answer, but I left a message.

I called my mom,
and she said her dd is recovering from a kidney transplant.
This is why I couldn't understand when she said,
"she hasn't been to see me in 2 years" she has been recovering from her illness.
My neighbor told me, the dog never bites,
when they take it to the groomer, it is fine.
Then she said, when it has to go outside, it goes nuts.

I don't know if the dd went home last nite, or if she is staying with her mom.
The daughter lives about an hour away.

TETANUS SHOTS up-to-date? If not, you MUST get one NOW.

I know I got one in my late 30's, and I don't know if they gave me one before my surgery 2 years ago. I'm in my late 40's. I am going to go now and take a shower, and go either to our Urgent Care or ER. Like I said, I had no idea about dogs or dog bites.

 

[Lorix2]

My DD was attacked on the top her head by my MIL's dog. She told me the shots were up to date, and my DD had already had a tetanus shot, but the ER doc put her on an antibiotic also. I don't remember the ER asking me for proof of shots, but the hospital by law (I was told) had to send the police to the home to quarantine the dog for a period of time.

You should get professional medical treatment and have that dog dealt with also because it'll do it again.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd was also bit and antibiotics are certainly in order as well as a tetanus shot as everyone else here has said if you are not updated.

The danger here is that a bite is a puncture which pushes bacteria into your body.

Get a copy of the dog records that show when the dog had it's last rabies shot.

 

[barkley]

get it checked out by a doctor-even if the shots are current you need to have the wound looked to.

a neighbor took her cat to the vet, brought it home and it managed to escape the carrier. my dad attempted to help the neighbor get the cat back-the cat bit my father on the hand. the cat had just been seen by the vet, was in excellent health, had as impressive a vet treatment record as any animal lover would ascribe to-with 72 hours my dad was in the hospital with a massive infection in his hand and arm which had swollen to twice their normal size (skin was close to splitting). fortunatly with drip antibiotics he recovered.

animal bites are nothing to mess with-see a doctor who should be required by law to report the incident.

 

[jenrose66]

You don't mess around with dog bites. I would call animal control, report the dog...go to the er, get treatment...then I would present the owner of the dog with my hospital bill. There are leash laws for a reason. What if that had been a child that was bit...so dangerous.

 

[Jennasis]

In our county, we have A "one bite" rule. If your dog bites anyone, it gets put down. Be aware that this is a possibility when you report the dog. The county dog warden may be required to seize and destroy the dog...just something to consider with regards to neighbor relations.

I would likely report the dog.

 

[lisajl]

DO NOT TRUST YOUR NEIGHBOR'S WORD. I would repeat that but I figured shouting would get the point across just as well.

A couple of thoughts...
1) The bite must be reported to Animal Control. The owner will have to produce records of all shots.
2) The dog will probably have to be at least quarantined for a certain time.
3) Sorry, I'm going to shout again...
ARE YOUR TETANUS SHOTS up-to-date? If not, you MUST get one NOW.
4) You should probably go to the ER (yes, I mean it) tonight. Mouths are filthy business, and animal bites can go deep. I had a cat-bite a while back and had to go to the ER for an emergency tetanus shot (they were in short supply that year) and be put on antibiotics. If infection gets a foothold and you wait a day or two...trust me, you really don;t want to go that route.

Please do NOT wait. In this case it is very much better to be safe than sorry.

5) You really have to report this bite. If I were in your shoes and this dog subsequently bit a child, I would feel terrible.

agnes!

What she said!! Do not take anyones word for it that their pets were vaccinated. You must see proof. Everyone that leaves our clinic with their pets that were just vaccinated gets proof.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Get written proof of current rabies shot! So many people think they are current and are not: I have to check records constantly-"Um, Mr. Smith, Sparky's rabies vaccine is past due 2 years, we need to update that before we can go any further. Yes, our records show we mailed you 2 reminders about this..."

 

[lillygator]

In our county, we have A "one bite" rule. If your dog bites anyone, it gets put down. Be aware that this is a possibility when you report the dog. The county dog warden may be required to seize and destroy the dog...just something to consider with regards to neighbor relations.

I would likely report the dog.

wow, if a dog bites anyone it gets put down?

 

[Jennasis]

wow, if a dog bites anyone it gets put down?

Yes. One strike and you are out.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

In our county, we have A "one bite" rule. If your dog bites anyone, it gets put down. Be aware that this is a possibility when you report the dog. The county dog warden may be required to seize and destroy the dog...just something to consider with regards to neighbor relations.

I would likely report the dog.

Okay, that has raised all kinds of questions for me.

Does the law apply to cats, horses, sugar gliders, hamsters and other domesticated pet-type animals who are known to occasionally bite humans or just to dogs? And does that mean that you can't have K9 forces in your county or does the law make an exception for that? What if the dog attacks b/c his owner is attacked?

 

[Jennasis]

Okay, that has raised all kinds of questions for me.

Does the law apply to cats, horses, sugar gliders, hamsters and other domesticated pet-type animals who are known to occasionally bite humans or just to dogs? And does that mean that you can't have K9 forces in your county or does the law make an exception for that? What if the dog attacks b/c his owner is attacked?

How the heck do I know? Also, never said I agreed with it. Just telling the OP to check local laws.

 

[McDISer]

I just got home from Urgent Care.
I received a tetanous shot 2 years ago, so I am good with that.
The Dr. said, there is bruising above the wound, but it looks pretty clean, and non infected right now. But he said to keep a close eye on it, and if it changes in anyway, to give him a call, and he will give me an antibiotic.

My neighbor has not called me back yet this morning.
It doesn't look like she is home.
I think they were leaving somewhere yesterday, and that is when the dog escaped out the door.
At 6:00 I noticed her daughters van was gone.
I asked for written proof, so she has to give them to me,
otherwise the Dr. said, I can file a police report, and then they have to give me the report of vaccinations.
The Dr. told me since it is a pet, I'm probably okay, and if I need rabbie shots, I have time yet, for them to produce the papers.
I'll wait another hour before I call my neighbor,
she usually goes to church, or like I said, she could be gone with her daughter.

Thanks everyone.
Sometimes people get funny about asking medical questions on the DIS,
but I am thankful to you guys.
I knew I would get quick answers. I know absolutely nothing about dogs, cats, etc.
My kids were allergic to the dander on any kind of pets-they all hated me for not having a dog, cats,
but when your kids are little, and they can't breath because of asthma and allergies, I didn't want to add to their discomfort. Thus as I said, I knew absolutely nothing about dogs, vaccinations, bites, etc.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

How the heck do I know? Also, never said I agreed with it. Just telling the OP to check local laws.

Sorry, just curious. . .it just seemed so. . .I don't know. . .unenforceable, you know? Like a "it seemed like a good idea at the time" law that gets repealed a few months later, but from the way you posted, it seemed like it had been in effect for a while, so I figured they'd worked the kinks out as the longer I thought about it (I was making myself breakfast) the more unenforceable and open to lawsuits it seemed. . .

 

[mousey]

In NY all animal bites (cat, dog, hamster, etc...) need to be reported to the county health department. If your neighbor can't show proof of the shots, ask for the vets name. They would have a record of the shots. I have never heard of a pet being put down for biting someone one time. I know if its a wild animal like a racoon and they are able to catch it, they will test for rabies, but I have never heard of a family pet put down. Apparently the rabies test needs to be performed on the animal's head.