Morsures, griffures et envenimations : conduite à tenir en urgence

Abstract

Animal bites and scratches are a common cause for medical consultation. Pets are responsible for most wounds. The severity of the lesion is correlated with its location, extent of the bite and patient’s anti-tetanus vaccine status. Prognosis is related to the earliness of diagnosis and rapidity of initial management of the septic wound by cleaning, dressing and disinfection. Antibiotherapy is to be discussed, depending on which animal has bitten, the site of the wound, and the delay between the bite and the initiation of treatment. In case of envenomisation by venoms that induce allergic reactions (hymenoptera), treatment will range from simple local treatment to anaphylactic shock management, depending on the patient’s clinical status. For some cytotoxic venoms (viper, e.g.), for which specific antivenoms exist, the use of which is based on clinical criteria.