ANIMAL BITES

 Basic information

description

Animal bites are bite wounds to humans from dogs, cats, or other animals (including humans).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Bite wounds can be tears, punctures, scratches, ripping, or crushing injuries.
• Dog bites usually involve the hands, face, or the legs and feet.
• Cat bites usually involve the hands, followed by legs, feet, face, and trunk.

causes

• Most bite wounds are from a domestic pet known to the victim. Large dogs are the most common source.
• Human bites are often the result of one person striking another in the mouth with a clenched fist.

risk increases with

Exposure to domestic pets or wild animals.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Education on how to avoid animal bites, for children as well as adults.
• Avoid stray animals.
• To prevent complications from possible animal bites, keep tetanus immunizations up-to-date.

expected outcomes

• Wounds should steadily improve and close over within 7 to 10 days.
• Dog bites rarely become infected. Cat bites and human bites frequently become infected.

possible complications

Infection, extensive soft tissue injuries with scarring, hemorrhage, rabies, and sometimes death.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Call 911 if a person has been seriously wounded or is bleeding heavily.
• For first aid:
  • Wash hands before and after caring for the wound.
  • If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with clean towel or cloth until bleeding stops. Clean wound with soap and water, dry the area, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with sterile gauze or clean cloth.
  • Elevate the injured extremity to prevent swelling.
• Call your health care provider or take the person to an emergency department if:
  • The wound is deep or large.
  • Bite is on face, neck, or hands.
  • Bite was from an unknown or wild animal.
  • Wound has redness, swelling, pain, or draining pus.
  • Person may need tetanus shot or stitches.
• If appropriate, contact the local health department or animal control about the bite.
• If possible, the animal that caused the bite should be checked for rabies. Call an animal control office for instructions.

medications

• Preventive antibiotic treatment may be prescribed.
• Antitetanus injection may have to be given.
• Sometimes, an antirabies vaccine or serum may have to be given.

activity

No limits, except those caused by the injury.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member suffers from an animal bite that causes concern.
• The bite does not begin to heal within 2 to 3 days or signs of infection develop.
• New or unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.

Special Notes: