Treatment of a California Sea Lion Bite Using Antibiotics and Chlorine Dioxide Solution During a Remote Expedition

Biologists, trainers, and tourists have sustained injuries from interacting with sea lions. Sea lion bites can be serious and compromise health due to mechanical damage to tissues and infection. In this case study, we describe the management of a severe forearm injury in a 29-year-old man resulting from the bite of an adult California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) during a research expedition to the Sea of Cortés in 2020. Treatment included hemostasis, sutures, oral antibiotics, and oral chlorine dioxide (ClO2) solution to promote wound regeneration. Recovery and wound repair progressed rapidly, with wound margin contraction evident 12 hours after the incident and tissue remodeling nearly complete by 3 weeks. There was no evidence of inflammation, infection, or observable sequelae. Keywords: sea lion, bite, wound, chlorine dioxide, injury, pinniped, treatment, wilderness