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DESCRIPTION
Bite wounds to humans from dogs, cats or other animals including humans.
FREQUENT 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.
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.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Exposure to domestic pets or wild animals. Dog bites rarely become infected. Cat bites and human bites frequently become infected.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Education on how to avoid animal bites for children as well as adults.
Avoid stray animals.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Wounds should steadily improve and close over by 7-10 days.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Complications from bites can include infection, extensive soft tissue injuries with scarring, hemorrhage, rabies, and sometimes death.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Wound cleaning.
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.
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.
MEDICATION
Preventative antibiotic treatment may be prescribed.
Antitetanus injection may have to be given.
Sometimes, an antirabies vaccine or serum may have to be given.
ACTIVITY
No restrictions, except those caused by the injury.
DIET
No special diet.
NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF
You or a family member suffers from an animal bite.
The bite does not begin to heal within 2-3 days.
New or unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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