Dog Bite Diarrhoea

History

  • You are FY2 in GP
  • A 25 year old man has come for follow up
  • He had a dog bite few days back and was treated
  • Wound was cleaned, antibacterial ointment given and a sterile bandage was given
  • He was prescribed co-amoxiclav, and completed the dose
  • He was tetanus vaccinated , was not sure about rabies vaccine
  • Generally fit and well, but presented with diarrhoea for 2days for several times
  • No sign of dehydration, no other risk factor or complications of dog bite

Task: Talk to him and address his concerns

Concern

  • Why am I having diarrhoea?
  • Did you treat me wrong?

Examination and investigation

  • Take observation, head to toe
  • Examine the wound (clean , dry and healthy)
  • Routine blood, RBS, electrolytes

Management

  • Greet and and confirm identity, paraphrase the scenario
  • Take focused history
    – what brought him to the hospital
    – how he was treated
    – how’s he doing now
    – any symptoms like fever
    – pain swelling around the wound
    – muscle ache, tummy pain, vomiting, diarrhoea etc
  • Ask MAFTOSA,
    He was prescribed co-amoxiclav
    did he completed the antibiotics dose?
    explore diarrhoea (for how long, how many times, any blood mix in it or mucous, color )
  • ask after effect (associated symptoms)
    any tiredness, dizziness, tummy ache, feeling sick etc
    – Ask vaccination status
    – Do ICE, verbalise examination and summarise, tell him he is having a side effect from the antibiotics, diarrhoea is a common side effect of co-amoxiclav (Open BNF and show him)
  • Management will be send home
  • As no sign of dehydration: Tell him it is not serious, it will be alright without treatment
  • Give Advice
    1. to drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration
    2. Keep the wound dry and clean, do not scratch or rub
    3. Use antiseptic topical ointment only
  • Safety netting
5 Likes

Do we stop the antibiotics? Or ask him to continue?

In this scenario, task says he completed the course of antibiotics, so he has already stopped.
In another scenario, task says one day is remaining to complete the course. In that case, we should advice to complete it, I believe.

2 Likes

I HAD A TUTOR WHO SAID IF HE HAS NOT COMPLETED IT HE HAS TO STOP AND INTENSIFY WOUND CARE.THEN IN ADDITION TO THE LABS ABOVE YOU DO STOOL MCS FOR C.DIFFICILE AND REVIEW IN 48HR

2 Likes