What are common bite wound management principles for dog or cat bites?

• A. Suture wounds closed immediately.
• B. Thorough irrigation and debridement, tetanus status check, rabies assessment as indicated, and antibiotics covering oral flora (e.g., amoxicillin-clavulanate); consider wound care and imaging as needed.
• C. Only topical antiseptics; no antibiotics.
• D. Use antifungals.

Answer: (B)

Bite wound management after dog or cat bites focuses on preventing infection from the oral flora and promoting proper healing. These wounds are typically contaminated with a mix of bacteria such as Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, streptococci, staphylococci, and anaerobes, so thorough cleaning is essential. Copious irrigation and debridement remove debris and devitalized tissue that can harbor bacteria and impede healing. Because infection can spread quickly, broad-spectrum antibiotics that cover oral flora are recommended; amoxicillin-clavulanate is a first-line choice because it effectively targets Pasteurella and anaerobes. Check tetanus status and update as indicated, and assess rabies risk based on the animal, vaccination status, and exposure circumstances to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis is needed. Wound care and imaging should be used as needed to evaluate depth, involvement of structures, or presence of foreign material. Immediate primary closure with sutures is generally avoided in bite wounds due to infection risk, and relying only on topical antiseptics without antibiotics is inadequate.