Peak incidence of animal bites is among children aged 5-14 years. Since patients typically are children, reassurance and parental presence may facilitate examinations. Bite wounds from cats and dogs can occur without provocation, but provoked bites, such as disturbing animals while they are eating, are more common. Older animals often are less tolerant of disturbances, especially by children. Fresh wounds should not be cultured.
Infected wounds are generally cultured.
If C. canimorsus sepsis is suspected, examine the peripheral smear for the organism, a bacillus. Occult fractures or osteomyelitis may be discovered. If the child was shaken, consider cervical spine evaluation. Otherwise, routine testing rarely is necessary. Complete trauma evaluation may be indicated in the occasional patient.