A member asked:

Hi .our dog bit my dad on the hand.went through skin although not very big.he immediately washd with dettol..put antibiotic cream on.he has had an aortic valve replacement 2 years ago so we worry about infection. is a tetinus shot also needed?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Yes if none recently: Most animal & human mouths carry tetanus bacteria so a person who is bitten should definitely get an updated tetanus shot: get one if 5 or mor years since previous one. But a puncture wound from an animal bite on the hand is also a risk for other bacterial infections, especially in someone with a prosthetic valve, & most Drs would also prescribe antibiotics in this case so a Dr eval is best

Answered 7/2/2020

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Yes: He should receive a tetnus shot, if he is not up to date. He should be placed on antibiotics given the bite is on his hand. Augmentin is the recommended antibiotic.

Answered 7/2/2020

69 views

Thank

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