Mammalian Bites Author: Jeffrey D. Kravetz, MD; Daniel G. Federman, MD
Editorial changes - 2008-01-23
Author information and module status
Prevention
Screening
Diagnosis
Consultation for Diagnosis
Hospitalization
Non-drug Therapy
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Consultation for Management
  • Consult a surgical subspecialist for management of certain mammalian bite wounds.
  • Understand when to consult a medical subspecialist for management of bite wounds.
  • Understand the need for consultation of nonmedical specialists in certain bite wounds.

Consult a surgical subspecialist for management of certain mammalian bite wounds. C

  • Always consult a hand surgeon for human bite wounds to the hand, especially clenched fist injuries and infected human hand bites that require examination in an operating room to allow for adequate debridement and irrigation.
  • Consider consulting a hand surgeon to aid in management of all other mammalian hand bite wounds.
  • Consult an orthopedist for management of fractures resulting from dog and human bites.
  • Consult a plastic surgeon for disfiguring injuries and for help with management of facial bite wounds.
  • Consult a vascular surgeon if there is evidence of injury to large blood vessels.
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Understand when to consult a medical subspecialist for management of bite wounds. C

  • Consult an infectious disease specialist for management of patients with bite wound infections who have failed outpatient management or appear clinically unstable.
  • Consider consultation with an infectious disease specialist for guidance in managing patients bitten by HIV- and HBV-infected individuals.
  • Consult either a pediatrician specialized in human bite wounds or a forensic odontologist to assess all human bites in children.
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Understand the need for consultation of nonmedical specialists in certain bite wounds. C

  • Consult the department of public health for assessment of local rabies risk from dog and cat bites.
  • Report cases of animal bites to the Department of Health, if local law dictates.
  • Consult social services or law enforcement in all cases of suspected child or spousal abuse from human bites.
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FAQs
Daniel G. Federman, MD has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Jeffrey D. Kravetz, MD has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations.

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