Sandy Crest Medical Centre - Health Tips
Animal Bites
The most common complication associated with
bite wounds is wound infection. One of the best methods of reducing
the risk of infection is to adequately irrigate the wound with
sterile water under high pressure. This high pressure will dislodge
and wash away any bacteria commonly found in the animal’s mouth that
can cause infection. Also important is whether animal bites should
be closed (sutured) and this depends on the type of animal, age and
location of the wound. Under no circumstances should a wound that is
infected be closed. Dog bites may be safely closed if they are not
more than 8-12 hours old and are not located on the hand. Cat bites
which are usually puncture wounds should not be closed because they
cannot be adequately cleaned. Cat bites however, that are
lacerations rather than puncture wounds may be closed if they are
not on the hand. In most cases wounds on the hands and wounds more
than 8-12hours old should be left open because of the possibility of
infection.
Antibiotics are used to prevent infection as
well as to treat wounds that have evidence of infection. Finally,
the patient should receive a tetanus booster if they have not
received one in the previous 10 years.
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