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Animal Bites

Millions of people in the United States-usually children-are bitten by an animal each year. Most animal bites are from dogs; cat bites are the second most common, yet the risk of infection from a cat bite is much higher. The majority of bite wounds occur on the fingers of the dominant hand, and can result in severe infections and damage not only to the skin, but also to the underlying tendons, ligaments, bones and joints. It is important that animal bite wounds of the hand and fingers be evaluated by well-trained and experienced physicians.

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