Animal bite : assessment and management

Animal bites are a significant public health concern worldwide, with a notable impact on both emergency department (ED) attendances and primary care consultations. In the United Kingdom, animal bites constitute approximately 1-2% of ED visits, indicating the prevalence and importance of effective clinical management. The majority of these cases involve bites from domestic animals, particularly dogs and cats, with a propensity for dogs to bite the dominant arm or leg, often in males, and for cats to bite the upper limb, typically with a higher incidence in females.

Management of animal bites encompasses not only the immediate clinical care required to treat the physical wound but also extends to preventing infection, assessing the risk of transmission of diseases such as tetanus and rabies, and addressing the potential psychological impact on the patient, especially when the victim is a child or when the incident is severe. The complexity of these cases is further augmented by the necessity to consider legal aspects such as the Dangerous Dogs Act in the UK, which emphasizes the responsibility of dog owners for their pets' actions.

In primary care settings, clinicians are tasked with performing a thorough initial assessment that includes history taking, examination of the...