Dog bit my unvaccinated daughter (Help quick please!)

[mimiandnona]

Sorry, I'm sure the answer is on here somewhere but I don't have a lot of time. A dog just bit my daughter's lip. The walk-in clinic is closed for lunch, but depending on how it looks in a half hour we're going to bring her in for stitches. The receptionist I talked to asked about Tetanus and told me they have a tetanus shot available at the clinic. The bite is bleeding profusely, so I don't think it's needed, but would like to know if a dog bite is one of those times we should consider it? The dog is up-to-date on all his shots.

Thanks!

[mimiandnona]

Just as an update, we haven't taken her to the clinic. It's a small bite on her lip and because of the shape I don't think stitches would actually be possible. Plus, she's semi-allergic to stitches and they tend to scar worse than any cut she's ever had. We have been keeping it clean with hydrogen peroxide and otherwise just letting it bleed. (It's not bleeding profusely or anything, just a bit weepy still.) If I remember right the Tetanus globulin can be given up to 72 hours later, but I don't think the bite is deep enough to have to worry, not to mention that it seems like a healthy city dog likely has a low chance of causing problems like that.

[just_lily]

I wouldn't worry about tetanus for a dog bite.  I would keep a very close eye out for infection though.  I don't think any medical professionals actually look at a wound critically as to whether or not there is a real risk of tetanus, they just automatically go to the shot.

If you didn't know the dog I would think seriously about rabies, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.  I am so sorry you and your little one are going through this - it sounds scary!!