Bite wounds
What we will do
- Gather Historical Data: We will want to know what bit the patient and how long ago it occurred. Rabies vaccination status plays a role with protocols and local laws as well.
- Gather Current Data: We will perform a thorough physical examination to determine what level of treatment is recommended. Bites wounds are infected wounds. Lacerations are easier to clean but can take significant time under anesthesia to close if they are large or numerous. Punctures are very difficult to clean and present increased risk for abscess formation. Some bite wounds, generally from larger animals, cause very painful crushing injuries. These can be immediately noticeable as seen with broken bones or they may be in the form of severe bruising which is often more noticeable the next day in areas where hair was shaved away. Baseline bloodwork is important for preanesthetic considerations and for comparison the next day if ongoing blood loss or internal injuries are suspected. Radiographs (X-rays) are necessary in many cases. In extreme cases where a large animal grabs a much smaller one, abdominal wall hernias, intestinal perforation, ruptured bladder, diaphragmatic hernia, pneumothorax (collapsed lungs), hemothorax (bleeding around the lungs) and other serious conditions can be identified and rushed to surgery.
- Treatment: Treatment will vary depending the severity of the bites and rabies vaccination status. Every bite wound has the potential to abscess and become very serious. Patients that have been mauled and need extensive care to recover will be hospitalized, receiving intravenous fluid support, antibiotics and pain management until more stable. Cases that have had significant blood loss are closely monitored and sometimes require a blood transfusion.