Via practica 11/2006

ANIMAL BITE, INJURY CAUSED BY AN ANIMAL – PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT

The dog, cat and wild animal bite represent 80 – 90 %, 3 – 15 % and less than 1 % of all animal hurts in our geographical region, respectively. The incidence of the wound infection after such hurts range in 10 – 50 % and is dependent from localization, as well as type of wound and the presence of specific risk factors. According them are these injuries divided in two groups: wounds with low or high risk of subsequent infection. The microbe spectra of the skin and mucous membranes of affected patient, but all above the microbial colonization of the animal maw take part in the etiology of the disease. The principal therapy of this type of injury lies in thorough wound disinfection, surgical remove of any strange material and necrotic tissue together with administration of antibiotics (prophylactic or curative). In some cases a prophylactic immunization against rabies and tetanus is indicated. furthermore, the specific zoonoses may occur after animal bite, as well.

Keywords: animal, bite, wound infection, antibiotic therapy, and prophylaxis.