I got this really bad cut.......?!
Question: I got this really bad cut........?
I was volunteering at a animal shelter, and I was petting this St. Bernard, then all of a sudden it bit me on my thumb. It is all swelled up, and the finger nail is purple. Would I need stitches or not.? Sorry I don't have a picture.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
You do need to have it looked at by a professional as well as having the dog tested for any rabies or other viruses. It is sad but somethng that needs to happen so you don't get a really bad illness out of this bite. I am sure the finger nail is purple as this is a bruise that happened from the pressure of the bite. Tissues swell when you get bit as they try to mend themselves. I got bit by a dog once on the hand and had to go through the rabies series (and this was back in the 70's when you had to do gazillions of them in the stomach) and then I had to do physical therapy as the bite got some nerves involved with it. So, have the Dr check it out, call or contact your supervisor to let them know which dog it was so they can test and seperate the dog from other people and animals and I really hope you feel better soon. Health Question & Answer
It depends. Go get it checked out just in case. otherwise it should be fine just put some antiseptic on it and a band aid.Health Question & Answer