Bites, Animal and Human

BASICS

Animal bite rates vary by species: dogs (60–90%), cats (5–20%), rodents (2–3%), humans (2–3%), and (rarely) other animals, including snakes.

All ages, but children > adults

3 to 6 million animal bites per year in the United States; account for 1% of all injury-related ED visits
1–2% will require hospital admission, and 20 to 35 victims die from dog bite complications, annually.

Dog bites are more common than cat bites; most dog bites are from a known domestic pet; ~90% of cat bites are provoked. Dog bites are more common in children, and cat bites in adult women. Cat bites are more prone to serious infection.
Human bite wounds are typically incurred by striking another in the mouth with a clenched fist; human bites also occur incidentally (e.g., paronychia, thumb-sucking, or bites to the face, breasts, or genital areas).
Animal bites can cause tears, punctures, scratches, avulsions, or crush injuries.
Contamination by oral flora leads to infection

Clenched-fist human bites are frequently associated with the use of alcohol or drugs.
Patients presenting >8 hours following the bite are at greater risk of infection.

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