Dog with swollen leg

[Katala]

I am currently caring for a german shepherd mix.  Two days ago, she was bitten by a pit bull on the leg.  I cleaned the wound with antiseptic, and started her on 325 mg of aspirin about every 5-6 hours.  Now, however, her leg is so swollen that she can barely walk on it.  The bite wound is not big... it's an extremely small puncture near the top of her leg.  However, the leg is swollen down to the paw.  She won't stay off of it, being a very active puppy, so I've put her on my very high bed and ordered her to stay put (I'm watching her to make sure she stays on it).  I made a sort of makeshift cast by wrapping two paper towels, fleece, and a covering of duct tape around her leg.  It is not tight, but just tight enough to stay on and hopefully keep her off the leg.  Is there anything else I should do, or anything I should stop doing?  Thanks so much.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

She needs antibiotics and if not treated could get septicemia (bacterial infection in the blood)!!  A bite wound should not be bandaged.  

Can you please bring her to the vet for minimally an exam and antibiotics to treat the infection?  Most vets will do what the client requests.  You as the client can decline hospitalization, blood tests and all other diagnostics, if you can't afford them, and the vet will comply.  If the pit bull is not your dog, the pit bull owner should pay for all or at least some of the treatment.

[Katala]

Okay, thanks.  I didn't bandage the wound itself.  I wrapped up the leg below the wound in order to encourage her to stay off her feet.  She kept walking on it, and getting it swollen all over again.  I put ice on the swelling, and then wrapped it up just tightly enough to make walking a bit uncomfortable, so she'd lay down for a while.  I'll call my vet again.  I appreciate the advice!

[Katala]

Note: I would take her to the vet, however, I just spent well over $500 on medical bills for a sick sugar glider... I don't have a cent on me to give to the vet... even my debit card is empty.