Bites, Animal

[Infect Dis Clin N Am 2021;35:219-36; Clin Infect Dis 2014;59:e10-52]

- If animal unknown or escaped, or unprovoked attack, contact local Public Health or local Medical Officer of Health re: risk/management of rabies.

- Ensure tetanus status up to date.

- Irrigation and debridement necessary.

- Primary closure of wound(s) NOT recommended if:

NB: If primary closure is required for face wounds, the wound must be copiously irrigated and prophylactic antibiotics given.

- Cloxacillin, cephalexin/cefazolin, clindamycin, and macrolides NOT effective against Pasteurella spp or Eikenella spp.

- Pus/deep wound cultures recommended in established infection.

- For animal exposures below, consider also:

reptiles – Salmonella spp, Aeromonas spp
marine animals - Vibrio spp, Mycobacterium marinum
rodents, rabbits – Francisella tularensis
- rats – Streptobacillus moniliformis (rat bite fever)

Infectious Diseases consult recommended.