Management and treatment of animal bites

JAAPA. 2018 Apr;31(4):27-31. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000531049.59137.cd.

Abstract

Animal bites account for 1% of ED visits and more than $50 million in healthcare costs annually in the United States. Managing bite wounds can be challenging and providers must consider the patient's tetanus status, species of animal inflicting the bite, and infection risk. This article describes treatment and care of bites and when rabies prophylaxis is indicated.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bites and Stings / diagnosis*
  • Bites and Stings / epidemiology
  • Bites and Stings / etiology
  • Bites and Stings / therapy*
  • Cats
  • Debridement
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
  • Rabies / prevention & control
  • Rodentia
  • Tetanus / prevention & control
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Wound Closure Techniques
  • Wound Infection / prevention & control*
  • Wound Infection / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents