Dog attacks.

BACKGROUND

An estimated 100,000 Australians each year will seek medical attention after a dog attack. Such attacks have the potential to cause significant morbidity especially with regard to soft tissue injury and infection. Proper wound assessment and early intervention will reduce this morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

To review the epidemiology, assessment and treatment of soft tissue wounds caused by dog bites.

DISCUSSION

Any patient who has been attacked by a dog requires a primary survey for any immediate life threatening problems, a careful assessment of tissue wounds and a treatment regimen that will promote tissue healing and reduce the likelihood of infection. Wounds must be carefully examined for skin loss, joint penetration, and tendon, nerve and vascular injuries, and appropriate action taken if any of these points are detected. The chance of a wound infection will be reduced by thorough cleansing of wounds, debridement and/or delayed primary closure of selected wounds and the judicious use of antibiotics.