Anytime two animals are in close contact, there is a possibility of bite wounds. Biting can be accidental, as in overly aggressive puppy play, a result of intentional aggression or as a defensive action. Animals will fight for many reasons, pack dominance, territorial defense, food control among others. Preventing a bite wound is significantly than the trauma of separating fighting animals. Responsible pet ownership includes awareness of the possibility of biting situations.

Do not allow your pet to roam. Keep cats indoors. Keep your dog on a leash especially when visiting parks and walking through the neighborhood. Anytime you are in an unfamiliar situation with your dog, remember that your dog is likely to feel the need to defend not only his own space, but you as well. Maintain control over your animal and create distance between other animals. Proper dog training is recommended. Obedient dogs are less likely to participate in fights. Obedience collars manufactured by Dogtra Innotek and Tri Tronics are highly effective in training your pet the appropriate behavior.

Of all trauma-related veterinary visits 10 to 15 percent are related to bite wounds. Dog bites can result in significant trauma. A dog's mouth is designed to tear,crush and rip whatever it bites into. Dogs will bite and stay locked into the bite. Cat bites are typically puncture wounds with possible tearing or laceration. This is due to the small sharp teeth of cats as compared to dogs.

All bite wounds must be considered dangerous and treated immediately to prevent infection. Once the tooth pierces and penetrated the skin, bacteria and other contaminates will enter the wound site and cause infections. Even a seemingly small puncture wound can become the cause of life threatening infection in your pet's bloodstream. Cat bites are more prone to infection than dog bites.

A cat bite can be very deceiving as it appears small but can severely damage underlying muscle tissue. All bite wounds should receive veterinary attention.

• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Drainage
• Breathing difficulty
• Limping
• Weakness
• Collapse
• In cats, hiding in secluded places

Diagnosis
Diagnosing a bite wound is usually a simple task especially if the owner witnesses a fight. Bite wounds are most commonly found on the neck face and legs, but if one animal is attempting to flee the fight, serious bites on the hind quarters are possible.

Bite wounds of the neck can be serious and need further examination to determine the extent of the underlying damage. Excessive bleeding from tearing of a major blood vessel nerve damage airway trauma and trauma to the esophagus can occur.

Bite wounds of the face can cause severe damage to the eyes ears or mouth. Scratches and puncture of the eye is possible. Extensive bleeding can occur if the ears or mouth are bitten. In some cases sedation or anesthesia may be required to examine the injured pet.

Treatment
Treatment for bite wounds depends on the part of the body injured and the severity of the bite. Bite wounds are usually painful and your veterinarian will administer pain medications to relieve the pain. Wounds have the best chance of healing without complication if treated within 12 hours of the injury. With cats, it is not unusual for an owner to not be aware of a bite wound until the infection has already set in. If this happens to you, don't hesitate to get your cat to the vet as soon as you discover the problem. Your cat could be in advanced distress and quite ill at this point.

Sedation or anesthesia may be required to treat some bite wounds. The skin wound may have to be enlarged surgically to allow examination of the underlying tissues.

The primary goal of treatment is to reduce the risk of infection. Your veterinarian will gently remove dead tissue and clean the wound area thoroughly to remove hair and other debris. Povidone iodine or Chlorhexidine are used to disinfect the wound. If extensive damage has occurred and fluid accumulation is expected, a temporary drain may be placed in the wound to assist healing.

Antibiotics are very important in treating infection although most bite wounds become infected even if the patient is on antibiotics. The purpose of antibiotics is an attempt to keep the infection under control.

Bacterial culture and sensitivity may be done to determine the primary bacterial agent involved and help chose the best antibiotic. Frequently this test is reserved for those bite wounds that do not respond to initial antibiotic treatment.

Since the vast majority of bite wounds are contaminated commonly prescribed antibiotic choices include Amoxicillin Clavamox Cephalexin Cefa Drops or Baytril.

Home Care
Initially cleaning of the bite wounds with hydrogen peroxide Povidone iodine or Chlorhexidine can help reduce infection. Extreme care must be used since bite wounds are painful and the pet may bite the person caring for him/her out of fear or pain. You may have to muzzle your pet.

Despite initial home care all bite wounds should be examined and treated by a veterinarian. Extensive damage can occur even if it appears as though there is only a small minor puncture wound on the skin.