An animal bite is an injury that is the result of the flesh of a person being caught between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws of an animal. Animal bites do not include insect bites or stings.
The signs and symptoms of an animal bite can vary. The bite can look like a surface scratch with little or no break in the skin. An animal bite can bleed a little or a lot. The bite can tear or puncture the skin. There can also be crush injuries with some animal bites.
If the bite becomes infected, the following symptoms may occur: fever and chillsincreasing painpus draining from the woundredness and warmth at the site of the biteredness around the site, with red streaks radiating outwardswelling around the wound
The most common animal bite in the US is a dog bite. Cat bites are the second most common. Cat bites can be more serious because they produce puncture-type wounds.
Wild animals, including bats, are responsible for a number of bites each year. Any animal that bites a human should be confined and the proper authorities notified. The animal should be tested for rabies.
Most animal bites can be prevented by following these guidelines. Teach children not to approach any unfamiliar pets or wild animals.Avoid approaching an animal aggressively.Don't tease animals.Don't feed or play with wild animals, including squirrels and raccoons.Don't stick fingers into animal cages at pet stores, shows, or zoos.When an animal is eating or caring for its offspring, leave it alone.
A history of the animal bite from the individual or witnesses can provide a clue to the diagnosis. Often the bite can be diagnosed from the tooth marks on the person's skin.
There are three things to consider when treating animal bites: preventing infectionpreventing rabiesstopping bleeding
If bleeding is not severe, the wound should be washed with mild, soapy water for 3 to 5 minutes. It should then be covered with a clean dressing. Bleeding may be controlled by applying direct pressure over the wound with a clean, dry cloth. Elevation of the area may also help control the bleeding.
If the wound does not need stitches, it should be observed for the next 24 to 48 hours for signs of infection. If the wound becomes infected, a healthcare professional should be consulted. A healthcare professional should also be contacted if the person has not had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years.
Emergency care should be sought immediately in these situations. There are serious injuries.The person is suffering from severe blood loss.There are many bites.A significant amount of flesh has been lost.The person has been bitten by a stray or unknown animal.
The healthcare professional may consider the following treatment options: antibiotics to prevent or treat infectiondebridement, or surgical removal of damaged or infected tissueirrigation, a procedure that floods the bite area to wash out foreign objectspain medicinessutures to close the woundX-rays to look for bone fractures or foreign bodies left in the wound
Rabies is very rare but can be fatal. It is transmitted in the saliva of rabid bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Pets that have not received rabies shots can also carry the rabies virus.
There are two ways to tell if an animal has rabies. The first way is to capture the animal and observe it for 10 days. If the animal does not become sick in that time, it is not rabid. The second way is to destroy the animal and examine its brain.
There is no cure for rabies once it has developed. The rabies vaccine can be effective when given before symptoms develop.
With any wound, there are always the risks of bleeding and infection. In some cases, sutures are not used because they may trap bacteria inside. All antibiotics can cause allergic reactions, gastrointestinal distress, or other side effects.
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional.
