Class: Amphibia; Discoglosus pictus

The Painted Frog is the only amphibian species present on the Maltese Islands. Folkloristically, it was in the past given to sick children in the form of a soup. An antidiuretic substance - Enteramine - has been isolated from the skin of this species, but this is unlikely to have any medical consequences with simple handling of specimens. The best precaution is to ensure that hands are well washed after handing any specimens. The Discoglossus pictus is a protected species in the Maltese Islands and should not be taken out of its habitat.

Class: Reptilia

There are only four species of snakes represented on the Maltese Islands. These all belong to the Family Colubridae, all member of which are non-poisonous to man. Some colubrids, exemplified by the local Cat Snake Telescopus falax have poison fangs at the back of the mouth. Though technically a venomous species, these snakes are harmless to humans. Snakes are usually fairly timid creatures and they only bite humans in defense, when touched, trodden upon or cornered. When they strike, they do so with amazing speed, usually at the legs or hands of their attacker. In the majority of instances, snakes prefer to avoid human contact. All the resident reptiles are protected species in the Maltese Islands and should not be taken out of their habitat.

• The management of snakebite in Malta is in the large majority of cases very simple and aimed at reassuring the victim [and his/her relatives] that the snake was harmless and no harm will come to the victim.
• Local treatment as for small puncture wounds should be instituted, keeping in mind that the mouths of snakes can be infested with bacteria. A booster tetanus toxoid injection can be given as a precaution.

The tortoise species [and also many other reptilian species] may serve as Salmonella carriers; and care should be taken in food-handling after handling these animals. The previous folklore belief that the Maltese geckoes brought on leprosy and other skin disease has no scientific basis and was based on the warty appearance of these animal's skins.

Class: Avis
Certain species of bird can deliver a nasty bite when handled. This should be managed in the routine management of animal bites [see below]. Certain species of birds can be carriers of Chlamydia psittaci which can cause an infectious atypical form of pneumonia. Psittacosis is found prinsipally in the psittacine birds comprising parrots, parakeets and love-birds; less often in poultry, pigeons and canaries (in whom the disease is often called ornithosis); and occasionally in the snowy egret and some sea-birds (e.g. herring gulls, petrels, and fulmars). Human infection usually occurs by inhaling dust from feathers or excreta of infected birds; it may also be transmitted to man by a bite from an infected bird. Ornithologists and bird breeders are at particular risk.

Class: Mammalia

There are a number of mammalian species which may cause bite injuries to humans. These may include the rodents [e.g. Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus] and the weasel [Mustella nivalis]. However most mammalian bites refer to the domesticated species - the dog and cat. These bite injuries may be quite extensive requiring surgical treatment.

Treatment of bites:

• The treatment of mammalian bites requires the usual treatment of wounds with careful cleansing with antiseptics and debridment. All wounds sustained from contact with teeth are potentially serious, owing to the risks of infection. [Human bites are however much more dangerous than dog bites because of the unusual virulence of the organisms concerned]. Bites of all description should be treated with great respect. Exploration and debridement should be particularly thorough, and should be carried out, if necessary, under general anesthesia. The number of stitches should be reduced to a minimum. Appropriate antibiotic therapy should be prescribed and anti-tetanus toxoid given.