Animal Bite

What is an animal bite?

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. Animal bites occur more often on the hands, arms, legs, and face.

What are the most common animal bites?

People are most often bitten by pets. Bites from dogs and cats are the most common injuries. Less often people are bitten by pet ferrets and monkeys. All animals may bite when they are sick, feel trapped, or want to protect their young.

What first aid is needed for animal bites?

• Use a cloth to apply pressure to bleeding wounds.
  
  
• Clean and rinse the bite for at least 15 minutes with soap and water or germ-killing cleanser. Do not use alcohol or peroxide to clean the wound. Use a soft, clean cloth to remove dirt or other objects.
  
  
• Cover the wound with a clean, dry cloth or bandage.
  
  
• See a caregiver as soon as possible.

What does my caregiver need to know about an animal bite?

Your caregiver may ask the following questions:

• What kind of animal bit you? Is the animal a pet? If so, are its vaccines up to date?
  
  
• When and where did the bite happen? Was the animal bothered by you or another person before it bit? Did the animal show any fear?
  
  
• Can the animal be brought in to watch it for sickness or disease?
  
  
• Has the wound been treated? If so, what did you do to treat it?
  
  
• Do you have any health conditions? Do you currently take any medicines? When was your last tetanus shot?

What tests may I need after an animal bite?

Your caregiver will look at how big and deep the bite wounds are. He will ask if any area feels numb or if you notice any changes in your vision. Your caregiver will check how well you can move the bitten area. He will also check for signs of infection. Caregivers may take pictures of the injuries. You may also need the following:

• Blood tests and wound cultures: Your caregiver will collect blood, fluid, or tissue to test for infection.
  
  
• X-ray: An x-ray takes a picture of bones and tissues to check for fractures or objects inside the wound.

How is an animal bite treated?

• Irrigation: Caregivers use saline (salt water) or germ-killing cleansers to wash out the wounds.
  
  
• Debridement: Caregivers may cut away damaged, dead, or infected tissue to help the wounds heal.
  
  
• Medicines:
  
  
  • Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
    
    
  • Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
    
    
    • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
      
      
    • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.
    
    
  • Tetanus shot: A bite wound can cause tetanus. Tetanus is a life-threatening infection that affects the nerves and muscles. You may need a shot to prevent tetanus if you got the vaccine more than 5 years ago.
    
    
  • Rabies vaccine: Rabies is a life-threatening infection that you can get through animal bites. Vaccine injections are used to prevent rabies. Ask your caregiver for more information about rabies and its prevention and treatment.
  
  
• Stitches: Skin tears or head wounds are often stitched closed if there is no infection. Stitches are not used if infection is likely or the wound happened many hours before you received care.
  
  
• Surgery: Caregivers may need to repair deeper injuries and severe wounds with surgery.

What are the risks of an animal bite?

Animal bites can scar and create long-term problems with movement and feeling. The bite may break bones and damage other body parts, such as nerves, tendons (tough tissues that connect bone), and muscles. You may develop an infection. An abscess (pus pocket) may form, or an infection may spread to your joints, tendons, or bones. An infection that spreads to the blood is called sepsis and may be life-threatening. Life-threatening diseases can spread through animal bites, including tetanus and rabies.

How do I care for an animal bite at home?

• Apply antiseptic ointment as directed: This germ-killing ointment helps prevent infection in minor skin wounds. This can be bought without a doctor's order.
  
  
• Keep the wound clean and covered: Wash the wound every day with soap and water or germ-killing cleanser. Ask your caregiver about the kinds of bandages to use.
  
  
• 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.

How can I reduce the risk of an animal bite?

• Learn to recognize the signs of a scared or angry pet. Avoid quick, sudden movements. Some cats do not like to be petted. Do not kiss or pet a dog on top of its head.
  
  
• Do not leave a pet alone with a young child. Most bites come from pets during play. Sleeping children have received severe bites from ferrets.
  
  
• Do not disturb an animal while it eats, sleeps, or cares for its young.
  
  
• Do not approach an animal you do not know, especially one that is tied up or caged.
  
  
• Stay away from animals that seem sick or act strangely. Do not step between animals that are fighting.
  
  
• Do not feed or capture wild animals.

When should I follow up with my caregiver?

Follow up with your caregiver within 1 to 2 days or as directed. If the bite is infected, you will need to see a caregiver every day. You may need reconstructive surgery to repair damaged areas after you heal.

Where can I get more information?

For more information about animal bites, contact:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/
  

When should I contact my caregiver?

• 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.

When should I seek immediate care?

• 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.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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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