Puppy Dog Bite Wound on Sinus

by Catherine Rann
(Botswana)

Reader Question: Antibiotic for Treating a Dog Bite Wound

I have a recovering rescue puppy of about 2 months old. He has not yet had any inoculations. I have had him on a 6 day course of doxycycline to clear up abscess and parasites. Yesterday my older Jack Russel bit the puppy in the face and apparently punctured the sinus cavity under the right eye.

There was a lot of bleeding and his little eye is gammy. There is also a puncture above his nose on the opposite side. He has difficulty breathing now and only breaths through his mouth. Obviously there is a lot of swelling too. We have no vet here. Can you recommend an antibiotic as I worry about infection.

Veterinarian Suggestion for Treating A Dog Bite At the Sinus Area

Hi Catherine,

I am afraid that antibiotics alone will not be all that is needed to allow your rescue puppy to heal. Treating wounds like you describe often involves flushing out the contaminated areas, possibly suturing the wounds or placing drains to prevent the formation of abscesses, pain relieving medications, as well as antibiotics.

The doxycycline your dog is currently on is not my antibiotic of choice for bite wounds. I often prescribe amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or a fluoroquinolone.

Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM