File photo of Regional Advanced Paediatric Care Centre at Government Wenlock Hospital, in Mangaluru.
A seven-year-old boy hailing from Tamil Nadu is recovering from critical dog bite injury sustained two months ago, following timely emergency care, followed by intensive monitoring, nursing care and rehabilitation at the Government Wenlock’s Regional Advanced Paediatric Care Centre (RAPCC).The boy Madan, son of a Tamil Nadu couple working in a farmhouse in Kalasa in Chickmagaluru district, was critically injured following bite by a group of five dogs. He was admitted at the RAPCC on April 15 with multiple deep wounds over the head, neck, chest, abdomen, arms and legs.RAPCC Nodal officer Abdul Bhashith said large wounds were on the child’s scalp, neck and limbs. Some injuries were deep to expose the underlying muscles. Serious injury was to the neck where the bite had caused deep damage near the child’s windpipe.Dr. Bhashith said the first priority for the treating team was to help the child breathe. Doctors placed a breathing tube through his mouth to secure his airway and support his breathing. Intravenous fluids, pain-relieving medicines, antibiotics, tetanus protection, and immunoglobulin were given to prevent rabies.In the emergency operation that was done, the Paediatric surgeon cleaned each wound, removed damaged tissue and repaired the deeper injuries. A healthy muscle was used as a flap for the right arm muscles that was completely exposed and eaten by dogs. For the injury near the windpipe, ENT surgeon created a safer breathing passage through the front of the neck and placed a tracheostomy tube. After the surgery, the child was shifted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.To fight the infection, he was given strong intravenous antibiotics. His blood pressure was supported with special medicines called inotropes that helped heart to pump better and maintain blood flow to important organs till the body recovers from the shock. Ventilator support was given through the tracheostomy tube. A chest tube was placed, because of associated injury around the chest area. This helped to remove trapped blood from around the lungs and allowed the lung to expand properly.With good treatment from doctors of Wenlock, KMC and nursing care for the last two months, the child has now started to eat and also walk. Dr. Bhashith and Medical Superintendent D.S. Shivaprakash lauded efforts of treating doctors and nursing staff in the recovery of Madan. Published - June 07, 2026 09:34 pm IST
