The patients wounds were soaked in betadine solution and then carefully cleaned. Large wounds were packed open with wet to dry dressings, and she was given Augmentin 500 mg P.O. q 6 hours. She was given instructions for cleaning and was followed every day for a week. On follow-up, she showed no signs of infection. She is presently healing well, and Surgery is considering secondarily closing the large defect using a small drain.
Patient continues to do well.
Between 1 and 2 million dog bites reported each year. Dogs responsible for approx. 10,000 hospitalizations annually. 10 - 20 reported deaths annually. Puncture wounds and wounds to hands and joints are more likely to become infected.