La morsure des mustélidés : données sur l’anatomie, l’éthologie et la pathologie

Abstract

Mustelids’ bite : anatomical, ethological and pathological data. Mustelids live in almost all land-based ecosystems, on plains, in the mountains, in deserts or on the coast. Each one of them has specificities. However their bite is powerful compared to their small size which makes their restraint a dangerous threat. The scientific literature on the topic is summed up in this article. The anatomical study of mustelids’ skulls shows us why their teeth and musculoskeletal system can cause severe wounds. In regard to their several feeding behaviors, major variations exist despite their common jaw-closing strength. Understanding their behavior allows us appraise the part of the bite within their species or with their environment. As some mustelids are closed to humans, foreseeing handling accidents is necessarily through understanding their behavior, their living spaces shifts and captivity, though there is a clear difference between pet mustelids that can learn on biting and wild mustelids that should not change their behavior. Once biting happened, first trauma is taken over so as to minimize the injury extent. Then infectious side should be considered. On one hand, commensal microorganisms and especially Pasteurella should be treated. On the other hand, regarding to the kind and geographic origin of the mustelid that bite, other public health infectious risks should be considered (rabies, mycobacteriosis, streptobacillosis, tetanus …).