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| What is it? |
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| Bite, injuries and wounds to humans from dogs, cats, or other animals including humans. |
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| Causes |
| * Most bite wounds are from a domestic pet known to the victim. Large dogs are the most common source. |
| * Human bites are often the result of one person striking another in the mouth with a clenched fist. |
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| Signs and Symptoms |
| * Bite wounds can be tears, punctures, scratches, ripping, or crush injuries. |
| * Dog bites usually involve the hands, face, or the lower extremities. |
| * Cat bites usually involve the hands, followed by lower extremities, face and trunk. |
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| Risk Factors |
| * Dog bites rarely become infected. |
| * Cat bites and human bites frequently become infected. |
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| Prevention |
| * Education on how to avoid animal bites for children as well as adults. |
| * Avoid stray animals. |
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| Diagnosis and Treatment |
| Wounds should steadily improve and close over by 7-10 days, with appropriate treatment. |
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| General Measures |
| * Thorough surgical cleaning of wound. |
| * Surgical closure if needed. |
| * Wound will usually be left open to heal to lessen risk of infection. |
| * Splint hand if it is injured. |
| * Human bite wounds on the hands should not be primarily closed due to the high risk of infection. (i.e. should be left open). |
| * Elevation of the injured extremity to prevent swelling. |
| * Contact the local health department and consult about the prevalence of rabies in the species of animal involved. |
| * If possible the animal that caused the bite should be held and checked for rabies. |
| * Follow up with family doctor essential. |
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| Medication |
| * Preventive antibiotic treatment may be prescribed. |
| * Antitetanus injection may have to be given. |
| * Sometimes, an antirabies vaccine or serum may have to be given. |
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| Activity |
| No restrictions, except those caused by the injury. |
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| Diet |
| No special diet. |
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| Possible Complications |
| Infection, extensive soft tissue injuries with scarring, hemorrhage, rabies, and sometimes death. |
