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- Emphasize the importance of proper wound care and signs of infection in patients discharged to home with mammalian bite wounds.
- Educate patients on ways to prevent future dog and cat bites.
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Emphasize the importance of proper wound care and signs of infection in patients discharged to home with mammalian bite wounds.  |
- Emphasize the importance of elevation of extremity bite wound infections.
- Ensure adequate wound care by informing patients about proper management or confirming follow-up for dressing changes.
- Teach patients with uninfected bite wounds to seek medical care immediately if they develop local signs of infection, including erythema, swelling, purulent discharge, increased pain, decreased range of motion, and tracking of erythema.
- Advise patients of the systemic manifestations of infection including fever, chills, and rigors, and instruct them to contact their physician immediately if any signs develop.
- Instruct all patients with bite wound infections being managed in the outpatient setting to immediately seek medical attention if worsening symptoms develop or there is evidence of joint or tendon involvement.
- Stress the importance of adherence to antibiotic treatment of bite wound infections.
- Review common side effects of antibiotics prescribed.
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Educate patients on ways to prevent future dog and cat bites.  |
- Educate patients on measures to prevent future dog bites:
- Never leave an infant or young child alone with a dog
- Teach children not to approach an unfamiliar dog and only to play with a dog under adult supervision
- Teach children not to disturb dogs when they are caring for their puppies and not to run from dogs who appear disturbed
- Always keep dogs restrained when outdoors
- Avoid owning an aggressive breed of dog when living with a child
- Neuter male dogs especially if living with children
- Educate patients on measures to prevent future cat bites:
- Teach children not to provoke cats and to avoid disturbing cats that are caring for their young or who appear angered
- Learn the proper techniques from your veterinarian to discourage rough play
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| 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.
Steven E. Weinberger, MD, FACP, Acting Editor, PIER, has stock holdings in Glaxosmithkline and Abbott. |
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PIER is copyrighted (c) 2009 by the American College of Physicians,
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Mammalian Bites
