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Animal bites

Last reviewed: 8 Apr 2025
Last updated: 15 Apr 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • circumstances of animal bite
  • wound description
  • erythema
  • induration
  • fluctuance
  • purulent drainage
  • regional adenopathy
  • necrotic tissue
  • vital signs unstable
Full details

Risk factors

  • age <14 years
  • pet ownership
  • high-risk groups (for rabies infection)
  • previous medical procedures (increased risk of infection if bitten)
  • underlying medical conditions (increased risk of infection if bitten)
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • wound cultures
  • x-ray
Full details

Tests to consider

  • CBC
  • blood cultures
  • angiography
  • photography
  • DNA swab
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

uninfected wounds

uncomplicated infected bite: not penicillin-allergic

uncomplicated infected bite: penicillin-allergic

complicated bites: not penicillin-allergic

complicated bites: penicillin-allergic

Contributors

Authors

Consultant, Emergency Medicine

Croydon University Hospital NHS Trust

London

UK

Disclosures

OS declares that he has no competing interests.

Consultant, Emergency Medicine

Croydon University Hospital

London

UK

Disclosures

SB has no competing interests.

Dr Oliver Spencer and Dr Subhro Banerjee would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr A. Parfitt, Dr Randy Taplitz, and Dr Eric Chang, the previous contributors to this topic. AP and EC declare that they have no competing interests. RT has received funding from Pfizer to attend several antifungal symposia and funding from Schering-Plough to attend an antifungal Speaker's Bureau Workshop.

Peer reviewers

Associate Chief of Pediatrics

General Pediatrics/Pediatric Infectious Diseases

University of Rochester

New York

NY

Disclosures

CC declares that she has no competing interests.

Interim Chair of Emergency Medicine

Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics

University of Rochester

New York

NY

Disclosures

GC declares that he has no competing interests.

Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine

Director of Medical Toxicology

Department of Emergency Medicine

University of California

Irvine Medical Center

Orange

CA

Disclosures

JRS declares that he has no competing interests.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Rao AK, Briggs D, Moore SM, et al. Use of a modified preexposure prophylaxis vaccination schedule to prevent human rabies: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 May 6;71(18):619-27.Full text  Abstract

Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 15;59(2):e10-52.Full text  Abstract

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Human and animal bites: antimicrobial prescribing. November 2020 [internet publication].Full text

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended immunization schedule for adults ages 19 years or older, United States, 2025. Nov 2024 [internet publication].Full text

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2025. Nov 2024 [internet publication].Full text

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Animal bites images
  • Differentials

    • Soft tissue injury
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older
    • Recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents 18 years or younger
    More Guidelines
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