Dog bite the medical literature on dog bite in the English language is focused on areas of the world where dogs are kept as pets and, in such countries as the United States and England- it is rimarily children who suffer bites serious enough to warrent medical care. These bites are primarily in two place-the face and the hands. Adults are also bitten by dogs, of course

Since the dog's mouth is always heavily loaded with bacteria, infection is a concern with any dog bite, even one that seems minor. If the skin is broken, then it is possible - should the dog have a particular virulent bacteria in its saliva and should the person have poor immunity to that bacteria, to develop a serious infection.

Rabies is another issue, and that's why -even with a minor bite, the vaccination status of the dog is an important thing to know.

Dog Bite Bibliography (with notes)

Chaudhry MA. Macnamara AF. Clark S. Is the management of dog bite wounds evidence based? A postal survey and review of the literature. European Journal of Emergency Medicine. 11(6):313-7, 2004 Dec.

Deshmukh PM. Camp CJ. Rose FB. Narayanan S. Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis with purpura fulminans and symmetrical gangrene following a dog bite in a shelter employee. American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 327(6):369-72, 2004 Jun.

Flores RL. Bastidas N. Galiano RD. Successful replantation of an amputated nose after dog bite injury. [Case Reports. Journal Article] Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery. 136(2):326-7, 2007 Feb.

Godey S. Letter in reply to "Akthar N, Smith MJ, McKirdy S, Page RE. Surgical delay in the management of dog bite injuries in children, does it increase the risk of infection?" J Plast Reconstr Aesthetic Surg 2006; 59(1):80-5.[comment]. [Comment. Letter] Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery: JPRAS. 60(5):572, 2007. UI: 17399670

Islam S. Ansell M. Mellor TK. Hoffman GR. A prospective study into the demographics and treatment of paediatric facial lacerations. [Journal Article] Pediatric Surgery International. 22(10):797-802, 2006 Oct.

O'Brien CM. Richard B. A surgeon's duty in dog bite prevention in children. [Letter] Annals of Plastic Surgery. 56(1):106-7, 2006

Review of 28 patients referred to the Plastic Surgery Department, Children's hospital, in Birmingham, England because of dog bite. 22 required surgery. 19 had dog bites to the face. 18 of the attacks were witnessed and said to be unprovoked. 17 of the dogs were either the family's pet or known to90 the child, not strange dogs. 12 of these dogs remained in the home. Six children had been bitten before, and 3 by the same dog. All of those children required surgery. In 5 cases, owners admitted that their dog had bitten before. The most common type of dog to bite in this series was a crossbreed (9 cases), followed by Staffordshire bull terrier (4 cases). Letter decries failure of the duty of surgeon to have dog removed, to allow second attack.

Peters V. Sottiaux M. Appelboom J. Kahn A. Posttraumatic stress disorder after dog bites in children. Journal of Pediatrics. 144(1):121-2, 2004 Jan

Soueid NE. Khoobehi K. Microsurgical replantation of total upper eyelid avulsion. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 56(1):99-102; discussion 102-3, 2006 Jan.

Wareham DW. Michael JS. Warwick S. Whitlock P. Wood A. Das SS. The dangers of dog bites. [Case Reports. Journal Article] Journal of Clinical Pathology. 60(3):328-9, 2007 Mar.

Southern PM Jr. Tenosynovitis caused by Mycobacterium kansasii associated with a dog bite. [Case Reports. Journal Article] American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 327(5):258-61, 2004 May.
UI: 15166745

Tighe DF. Cascarini L. Collyer J. Jaw fracture as a result of dog bite in a 9-month-old infant. [Case Reports. Journal Article] Emergency Medicine Journal. 24(7):519, 2007 Jul.

Rhee ST. Colville C. Buchman SR. Conservative management of large avulsions of the lip and local landmarks. [Case Reports. Journal Article] Pediatric Emergency Care. 20(1):40-2, 2004 Jan.
UI: 14716166