Finger in the wrong place...

[JDH2]

I was a big dummy today I checked the small piece of bone that had broke off of the one that she was chewing. I told her first then I pulled my finger out to wipe it so I could remove it since she isn't the best about willingly giving up goodies but she will. Me taking the easy way of just getting it made me mess up big time. I forgot to tell her again and stuck my finger in right as she chomped on the piece of bone and of course she chomped on my index finger without even knowing. It did puncture the inside right above the first joint and scraped right at the nailbed. I am afraid that I have already gotten it infected as now there is pus coming out. I have heard that putting neosporin on punctures is a bad thing. This was totally my fault and I just didn't think. She has released a bird when I told her and it flew out of her mouth unharmed. Any suggestions on my stupidity? Do I keep it covered with antibiotic ointment or leave it open for the air to heal it or just go to the dr and not worry?

 

[ardeagold]

Ouch. I've done similar foolish things. I know it hurts!

Soak, clean with soap and water...get some saline solution in a can and squirt it INTO the puncture wound. Wipe off...squirt some Betadine (generic name is povidone-iodine and is much cheaper) directly into the puncture.

Do this at least a couple of times the first day. If it isn't getting better...you'll probably need antibiotics. The problem with punctures is that they cover over, and fester underneath. You don't want that to happen...make sure you keep the INSIDE of it cleaned out.

This is what I've done when I've gotten a puncture. Worked for me, but like I said, if it's not getting better within a day or so, or is getting worse...go to the doctor.

 

[MMtnmom]

Lucky did that to me and it took forever to heal. My daughter decided I had MRSA and had it cultured but it wasn't, but she had one of her nurses scrape it out several times and eventually it healed but it was a mess...as Donna says, you don't want a puncture wound to heal over, you want it to clear out and heal from the inside. Whoever says cat bites are worse...well it aint always so. Oh yes, and a long course of antibiotics.

 

[padkins]

Ouch! Hope that it heals well and doesn't give you much trouble! :hugs:

 

[wrknnwf]

Reminds me of the time that I had Hugo at the beach. I hauled back to throw his bumper. As my arm came forward, Hugo, in his excitement, leaped up and I impaled my wrist on his lower canine. His tooth slid in all the way, just next to the tendons in my inner wrist. Left a neat hole big enough to insert a pencil eraser. Just missed severing the tendons. Oddly enough, it didn't bleed. I called him "Vlad" for the rest of the day.

OMG, it hurt so bad. It's one of the most painful things I've ever had happen. I remember thinking how horribly painful it would be to have a dog or other large animal attack you.

I didn't want to spoil his day at the lake, so we kept playing and swimming. Fortunately, the wound healed beautifully with only a barely visible scar. I've learned to be more cautious when tossing his bumper.

Then there was the time he dislocated my knee at the same beach while I was clad in my full wetsuit. Another story for another time. Nothing like an enthusiastic dog! Ya gotta love 'em.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Donna's right..you don't want a puncture to close up too soon and seal the infection inside. Just went through this with Gracie getting my hand while swimming...got infected and was on antibiotics for 10 days. Dr. had me soak it in Epsom salts (or salt water) every day too and it drew the pus out. Very painful. Also make sure you're up to date on your tetanus shot.They told me if it had been more than 5 yrs to have the booster. The doctor said the only thing worse than a dog "bite" was a cat's. Be careful.

 

[JDH2]

Perfect and thank you so much for the answers. My husband was afraid it was broke at first lol. I will soak it and keep a close watch on it as I really do need my finger. And I am so glad that I am not the only one to have this kind of problem.
Jane, putting on a wetsuit, much less having to remove it when there is that kind of pain would be awful. I kind of wish this was a bigger area so I could keep it cleaner easier but I'm sure I can handle it. I did have my tetanus updated a few years ago after steeping off our boat into the point of the metal water heater cover that we were changing out, still have a scar at my knee from that one.
It has been a rough year for injuries from my two, but I wouldn't change them for anything because most of it has been my fault. oops
Gypsy never had a clue but Max was laying close and he knew something was wrong almost instantly..

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Sorry no help on the medical issues, but I had a thumb nail crack and loss after Snuffles chomped on it with his back teeth. It was not a vicious bite, and did not pucture the skin on the other side either. This was before Snuffles was mine too. I was still walking him for the neighbors then, when he picked up a dead fish near the pond at the park. I went to grab it just as he tried to get it to the back of his mouth to swallow kind of like you see a alligator do it. Just as he opened his mouth to get a better bite I stuck my hand in there. OUCH!!!

Hope you heal fast!

 

[wrknnwf]

Jane, putting on a wetsuit, much less having to remove it when there is that kind of pain would be awful.

By the time I got home from that incident, I could barely walk. Fortunately the neighbor saw my plight and assisted me inside.

I got the wetsuit off by myself somehow. It was a performance that only a contortionist could appreciate. Took weeks of healing, trying to walk three dogs while using canes; and I was trying to show Piper at the time. Had to ask a friend to take her in the ring one time, but he got a ribbon on her! I still can't run much today, though. My show days are over I'm afraid. Unless it's a Pekingese (perish the thought!).

There's no doubt these dogs can do some damage unintentionally.

 

[JDH2]

Well I had to go to the dr for a refill and had him look at my finger while I was there. Happy to say that thanks to your advice it looks great! I have been squeezing (ouch) any yuck out often and while it stills hurts and is tender it is healing. He did say that it may have nicked a tendon but I am not worried about that since it still works fine and the pain seems to be from the slight swelling. So again thank you for your help.