Animal Bite

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Animal bite injuries range from shallow cuts to deep, life-threatening wounds. An animal can cut or puncture the skin when it bites. Your skin may be torn from the body. Your skin may swell or bruise even if the bite does not break the skin. You are at risk for an infection after an animal bite. Animal bites occur more often on the hands, arms, legs, and face. People are most often bitten by pets. Bites from dogs and cats are the most common injuries. Cat bites more commonly lead to infection.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine will help fight or prevent an infection. Take your antibiotics until they are gone, even if you feel better.
  
  
• Antiseptic ointment: This is germ-killing ointment to help prevent infection in minor skin wounds.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take away or decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.
  
  
• Rabies vaccine: Rabies is a life-threatening infection that you can get through animal bites. Vaccine injections are used to prevent rabies. If your emergency provider thinks you are at risk for rabies you will need to return to the emergency department. You may need more vaccine injections to prevent a rabies infection. Ask your caregiver for more information about rabies and how often you need to return for injections.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider within 1 to 2 days or as directed:

If the bite is infected, you will need to see your primary healthcare provider every day. Wounds at risk for infection may not be closed with stitches right away. You may need to see your primary healthcare provider a few days later to have the wound stitched closed. You may need reconstructive surgery to repair damaged areas after you heal. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Keep the wound clean and covered:

Wash the wound every day with soap and water or germ-killing cleanser. Do not use alcohol or peroxide to clean the wound. Cover the wound with a clean, dry bandage. Ask your primary healthcare provider about the kinds of bandages to use.

Elevate and ice the wound:

Use pillows or blankets to raise the injured area above heart level. Apply cold packs to reduce pain and swelling. Try not to move the bitten area to avoid further injury.

Contact your primary healthcare provider if:

• Your pain does not get better with pain medicine.
  
  
• You have nightmares or flashbacks about the animal bite.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury and care.

Return to the emergency department if:

• Your wound is red, swollen, and more tender.
  
  
• You have gray or yellow drainage from your wound.
  
  
• You can no longer move the bitten area.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You see red streaks on the skin around the wound.
  
  
• Your heartbeat and breathing are much faster than usual.
  
  
• You feel dizzy and confused.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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