Animal bites March 2018 | by EMauthor •The main risk from animal bites is infection, that is in addition to the wound itself •Minor scratches and superficial wounds will need thorough cleaning, dressing and checking tetanus status •Wounds involving face, hands, feet or joints and puncture wounds or crushing wounds are at particular risk of infection and should receive prophylactic antibiotics, the best is co-amoxiclav •Thorough cleaning of wounds is essential together with debridement •Most animal bites wounds should be left open for delayed primary closure after 3-5 days •Facial wounds is the exception, seek senior advice, these wounds can be debrided cleaned and closed primarily for the sake of better cosmetic results •Animals with small teeth (cats and mice) can break their teeth during the bite, check for foreign body or x-ray if in doubt Key point: remember to complete a child risk / safeguarding screen when treating children with animal bites, even trivial ones with an innocent explanation. There could still be a risk of future catastrophic injury, |
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