Animal Bites

Cause:

Pasteurella multocida , and Capnocytophaga carnimorsus , are bacterial organisms. There are over130 different bacteria that have been found in bite wounds in humans, but P. multocida is by far the most common organi sm cultured from bite wounds.

Occurrence in Animals:

Cats, dogs (most common species involved), also rabbits and rats.

Source of Infection in Animals:

Oral secretions, saliva.

Observable Signs of Infection:

Animals

• Bite wound infections are also common in animals due to fighting.

Humans:

• Heat, swelling, pain, discharge at site of bite/scratch wound, with subsequent abscess development in some cases.
  
  
• Signs of progression of infection (e.g. extension of swelling, enlarged local lymph nodes) or development of systemic signs (fever) should be treated immediately.

Precautions:

Training of personnel in correct animal handling.

• Immediate, thorough cleansing of any bite wounds with soap and water and scrub brush if available. Surface treatment with topical antiseptic solution (e.g. betadine®)
  
  
• Referral to physician if bite has entered joint, tendon/ligaments, or bone or if bite wound worsens.
  
  
• A tetanus vaccination is recommended for people suffering bite wounds if he/she has not been vaccinated within last the past 10 years.
  
  
• Persons bitten by a wild, stray or unvaccinated animal should consider the risk of rabies and seek immediate medical care by his/her physician (including rabies prophylactic injections).

Reference:

• Handbook of Zoonoses: Identification and Prevention; Colville JL and Berryhill DL eds. Mosby. St Louis. 2007.

Additional Information Can Be Found At:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/bit