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Media Gallery

Animal bites. The devastating damage sustained by a preadolescent male during a dog attack. Almost lost in this photograph is the soft tissue damage to this victim's thigh. This patient required 2 units of O- blood and several liters of isotonic crystalloid. Repair of these wounds required a pediatric surgeon, an experienced orthopedic surgeon, and a plastic surgeon. Attacks such as these have caused a movement in some areas of the country to ban certain dog breeds.
Animal bites. Massive soft tissue damage of the right leg caused by a dog attack. This patient was transferred to a level one pediatric trauma center for care. At times, staff members may need counseling after caring for mauled patients.
Animal bites. Massive soft tissue damage of the lower left leg caused from a dog attack. Most of the fatalities from dog bites are children.
Animal bites. A different angle of the patient in Image 3 showing the massive soft tissue damage to this child's left lower leg.
Animal bites. Wounds to the left arm and hip inflicted during a dog attack.

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Author

Alisha Perkins Garth, MD Staff Physician, St Joseph Hospital

Alisha Perkins Garth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

N Stuart Harris, MD, MFA, FACEP Chief, Division of Wilderness Medicine, Fellowship Director, MGH Wilderness Medicine Fellowship, Attending Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School

N Stuart Harris, MD, MFA, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, Massachusetts Medical Society, International Society for Mountain Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Clifford S Spanierman, MD Consulting Staff, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Lutheran General Hospital of Oak Brook, Advocate Health System

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

James Steven Walker, DO, MS Clinical Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

James Steven Walker, DO, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Joe Alcock, MD, MS Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

Joe Alcock, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Robert M McNamara, MD, FAAEM Chair and Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine

Robert M McNamara, MD, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Renee N Salas, MD, MS Fellow in Wilderness Medicine, Attending Emergency Medicine Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital; Clinical Instructor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School

Renee N Salas, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Wilderness Medical Society, Emergency Medicine Residents' Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sections Animal Bites in Emergency Medicine
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DDx
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