Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared to Confront Animal Bites?

The sharp, pointed teeth of cats usually cause puncture wounds and lacerations that may inoculate bacteria into deep tissues. Infections caused by cat bites generally develop faster than those of dogs. It may be difficult to appropriately irrigate small puncture wounds, especially those inflicted by the teeth of a cat. Given that these have a higher rate of infection, consideration should be given to opening the wound with a number 15-blade scalpel and creating a 1- to 1.5-cm incision that can be well irrigated and left open to heal by secondary intention.

For more on the treatment of animal bites, read here.

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Cite this: Richard H. Sinert. Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared to Confront Animal Bites? - Medscape - Aug 18, 2015.