The Use of Prophylactic Antibiotics In the Management of Dog Bites

Inclusion Criteria:

All patients including all children and English speaking/reading persons who present with a
full thickness dog bite to participating emergency departments will be considered.
Non-English speaking/reading subjects for whom we can provide translation for will also be
considered.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria:

   - allergy to penicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid

   - wounds presenting with an active infection (require antibiotics) or greater than 12
   hours old.

   - patients with underlying fracture, joint or neurovascular injury, or multiple trauma
   requiring specialty referral. Specifically any broken skin over a joint will need
   treatment and be excluded from the study and randomization.

   - patients on immunosuppressive agents, prolonged chronic steroid use (defined as
   continuous use for > 14 days, 3 times a year) active HIV disease (determined by
   treating physician on history) or splenectomized. (could skew one group and at risk
   for overwhelming sepsis and death if infected)

   - patients unwilling or unable to complete the required follow-up, and those unable to
   provide a contact phone number