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

• Laceration Repair
• Closed Fist Infection

Source

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