Management of Minor Dog Bite Wound Physical Examination and Assessing Risk of Rabies Free Essay Example, 2250 words

Thereafter, thorough irrigation of the wound must be done with normal saline or Ringers lactate solution (Presutti, 2001). Tap water is as effective as saline and can be employed for irrigation at home (Garth and Harris, 2009). Copious and timely irrigation reduces the rate of infection of the wound (Presutti, 2001). Any devitalized or necrotic tissue must be debrided (Oehler, Velez, Mizrachi, et al, 2009). In case the wound is near a joint or if there is any suspicion of fracture, a radiographic evaluation must be resorted to (Oehler, Velez, Mizrachi, et al, 2009). Injuries due to dog bite occur most commonly in the hand or arm (about 45%). In children, the head and neck are the most commonly inflicted region (CDC, 2003). Because of the presence of rounded teeth and able jaws, bites by dogs cause a crushing type of wounds (Garth and Harris, 2009). Whether to close dog bite wounds or not is a much-debated topic. Experts opine that wounds which are more than 24 hours old, puncture wo und and wounds with clinical evidence of infection must not be closed immediately and must be allowed to heal with secondary intention (Presutti, 2001). We will write a custom essay sample on Management of Minor Dog Bite Wound: Physical Examination and Assessing Risk of Rabies or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page