Domestic Dog and Cat Bites: Epidemiology and Analysis of 823 Cases over the Last 5 Years

Abstract

Background: In response to the increasing incidence of bite injuries along with the growing population of household pets in Korea, this study aims to assess the morbidity of dog and cat bites and to identify factors that influence the duration of treatment and the need for surgical intervention and hospitalization. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of data on patients who were treated at our institution for animal bite injuries. Eight hundred and twenty-three patients over the 5 years from January 2014 to December 2018 were identified for analysis on incidence of animal bites across different variables. Results: There were no significant differences between dog and cat bites in terms of patients' age, sex, or seasonal distribution of the incidences. However, the majority of bites were from dogs (82.5%). Cat bite injuries were significantly more likely to occur in the upper extremities (P < 0.001). The dog group required significantly longer treatment periods than the cat group, regardless of the site of injury (P < 0.001). Of the 823 patients, the majority healed with secondary intentions, but 84 required surgical intervention owing to various complications. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of animal bite injuries in Korea. Overall, the upper extremities were more prone to injury than other regions. Dog bites required longer treatment periods and more surgical interventions than cat bites. Also, positive culture growth results and facial bite injuries were predictive factors for surgery. With effective wound management, bite wounds can successfully heal with minimal sequelae.

Epidemiology of Dog Bite Incidents in Chile: Factors Related to the Patterns of Human-Dog Relationship

“…In relation to the victim’s gender, men were bitten more than women, which is consistent with previous studies in other countries, such as the United States [ 68 , 69 ], Korea [ 37 ], Bosnia and Herzegovina [ 38 ], Iran [ 69 ] and Ireland [ 70 ]; as well as with previous Chilean publications [ 23 , 34 , 44 , 71 ]. These results can be explained because men can have a more invasive type of approach with the animal, they can also be less cautious or have less perception of an eventual threat.…”

“…Other studies in Chile report something similar [ 44 ]. The same situation is observed in other countries, for example, in Iran [ 36 , 45 , 46 ] and Korea [ 37 ].…”

“…This research focused specifically on dog bites as these are the ones that occur most frequently, as indicated by previous studies in Chile [ 23 , 34 ] and in other countries such as Iran [ 35 , 36 ], Korea [ 37 ] and Bosnia and Herzegovina [ 38 ].…”

Clinical Manifestation and Management of Terrestrial Animal Bites

“…Prophylactic antibiotic administration is not required in bites that occur longer than 24 hours and present without infection. 12 Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid is the current recommended antibiotic for treating cat bites, and 75% of patients received Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid as the main antibiotic therapy. Pasteurella sensitivity is not susceptible to many other antibiotics administered routinely for skin and soft tissue infections such as Flucloxacillin or Erythromycin.…”

“…The wound should be well-rinsed and then rebrushed using detergent or 70% alcohol or iodine, which has rabicidal (killing rabies) effect. 12 Aerobic and nonaerobic bacteria cause 30-60% of bacterial infections due to animal bites. Aerobic bacteria such as Pasteurella spp., Staphylococcus ssp.…”