Mammalian bites

Table by Species

Species Bite
Suturing?
Proph Abx?
Dog
Yes (+/- hand/foot) High risk^
Cat
Face only
Yes
Rodent
Yes
No
Monkey
No
Yes
Human (hand)
No
Yes
Human (other)
Yes
High risk^
Self-bite (mucosa)
Yes
No
Self-bite (through)
Yes
Yes


^HIGH RISK

  1. Hand wounds
  2. Deep punctures
  3. Heavy contam
  4. Sig tissue destruct
  5. >12hrs
  6. Joint, tendon, bone
  7. DM; PVD, steroid use, etc

Disposition

Admission Criteria Human Hand Bite

  1. Wound >24hrs
  2. Established infection
  3. Penetration of joint/tendon
  4. Presence foreign body
  5. Unreliable pt/poor home situation
  6. Diabetic

Treatment

  • Amoxixcillin/clavulanate (Augmentin)

See Also

Source

1/22/06 DONALDSON (adapted from Lampe, Rosen)