The deeper puncture wounds I had were also at the location of crushed hand/finger bones. I have never been bite in the face, but that, so I hear, causes a whole lot of commotion with the insurance companies.

 Quote: ana kozlowsky

 Quote: david c.frost

Dark red, muscle blood earns a trip to the ER.

Even if the puncture diameter is small? Why? Is such deep bite more dangerous?

Deep punctures and has been mentioned, are more likely to become infected. It's been my experience, even with medical care, a deep puncture will, at some point become infected. In addition, a "dog bite" requires different forms and reports be completed. If it's not a dog bite, ..... well you get my drift. This of course only applies to the officer while in training. Any broken skin with a "civilian" or someone not attached to the K9 Unit, is resported.

DFrost

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

I was also told no peroxide, neosporin, or other typical wound care products because it can damage the tissue in the puncture and cause more problems.

Uh oh... will know better the next time.

Thank you Jennifer, Aimee and David!

Having 4 dogs I better educate myself on first aid basics and also proper ways to handle the most typical situations. This is something I have overlooked so far

Here is my somewhat long, but fully explained puncture wound routine.

I used a mild surgical soap further watered down to clean it the first couple of days. It is the same stuff they give you for piercings so I new it was safe for punctures.

Then I switched to Bandaid hurt free antiseptic wash. It is a mild Chlorexidine solution with a little bit of lidocaine. It squirts out in a fine stream and is perfect for washing wounds.

Soaking it in warm saline water is also good for all wounds, as it has drawing and soothing properties, I did that every night before I changed the bandages.

About two weeks in I started putting EMT gel on it at night and Neosporin with pain reliever during the day (not on the puncture)

EMT gel is also safe for punctures, and is incredible stuff made of pure collagen...it helps wounds heal like nothing I have ever seen before!

It has been a month and half and I can almost move my fingers like normal, I put my wedding rings on last week and the scar on my palm looks a lot less like lady bits

But the small looking puncture on my index finger is by far the most painful part still, it is totally closed and healed, but there is a big knot of scar tissue and it is incredibly sensitive.

I am adding a disclaimer to my above post.....

This was all after an ER check that included X-rays, a professional wound cleaning, tetanus shot, antibiotic shot, and a high dose of oral penicillin for 14 days.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

I am adding a disclaimer to my above post.....

This was all after an ER check that included X-rays, a professional wound cleaning, tetanus shot, antibiotic shot, and a high dose of oral penicillin for 14 days.

Shucks, I'm talking about punctures they pack. Nothing like having that packing removed and replaced, on a daily basis, for about a week.

DFrost

Oh yuck!!

I am really glad mine weren't that bad.

Computer went wonky....double post!

 Quote: david c.frost

 Quote: jennifer lee

I am adding a disclaimer to my above post.....

This was all after an ER check that included X-rays, a professional wound cleaning, tetanus shot, antibiotic shot, and a high dose of oral penicillin for 14 days.

Shucks, I'm talking about punctures they pack. Nothing like having that packing removed and replaced, on a daily basis, for about a week.

DFrost

A little tip I learned a long time ago is to leave all the blood on and keep the wound as visible as possible when you go to the ER or clinic. I got to try it out for myself years ago when I bumped heads with a horse. Head wounds bleed a lot. I drove myself to the clinic and only wiped the blood out of my eye enough so I could see to drive. I had blood in my hair, down my face and on my shoulder. The response was incredible at the clinic! They took me right back, no waiting, cleaned me up, and stitched up the wound.
If I had known about that when I sliced open my butt cheek (I'd rather have a head wound) in a fall I might not have had that 2 hour wait in the ER. That wound was a big pain in the butt for a long time.

David
I can't imagine getting a puncture big enough to fit packing inside. *Shudder* The biggest puncture I got was from a cattle panel end wire, about 1/4" around and an inch deep into my leg. I never did see a hole, just a little round wound that took weeks to heal.

Just how big are these punctures? And from dogs??