Bite wounds are a major cause of injury in free-roaming animals (MSD). In cats the usual story is a fight with another cat, which leaves a tiny puncture that looks trivial and hides a contaminated pocket. A dog bite on a cat is a different and more dangerous injury. This guide covers wound assessment, antibiotics and the infection risks that come with bites; abscess drainage is covered in the feline abscess guide.
Key facts
Bite wound at a glance- Species and system: cat; integumentary (skin and subcutis), with possible deep injury.
- Cat bites: small, penetrating wounds that frequently become infected and must be treated as an abscess: culture, debridement, antibiotics and drainage (MSD).
- Dog bites: slashing injuries with the major tissue damage beneath the surface; ribs may be broken and organs damaged (MSD).
- Bacteria: mixed infections with Pasteurella species and anaerobes (Love 2000).
- Infection risks: FIV spreads mainly by bites; FeLV chiefly by saliva and close contact, with bites a less common route (MSD).
- Zoonotic: Pasteurella multocida can infect people through bites and scratches.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.