Animal bites are a common problem in America, with approximately two to five million occurring each year. The vast majority of Spring animal bites are caused by dogs and the remainder by cats and rodents. While animals can bite anyone, children are more susceptible to animal bites. It is always important to seek medical attention whenever an animal bites you. Their mouths have bacteria that can cause infections, especially when the bite breaks through the skin. If treated promptly, these infections are rarely dangerous, but occasionally, they can spread to the bloodstream and other body parts.

What to do when bitten by an animal

• Immediately clean the wound by applying soap and running warm tap water over it for several minutes. Do this whether the skin appears broken or not.
• Get rid of any objects from the bite, such as hair, dirt, and teeth.
• If the wound is not bleeding, squeeze it gently to encourage slight bleeding. However, if there is heavy bleeding, place a sterile dressing over it and compress.
• If you are in pain, take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.
• Unless the wound is minor, you should always seek medical attention.

Sometimes the bite can cause a body part like the finger or ear to dislodge. If this happens, clean the body part with tap water, wrap it in clean tissue, and place it in a plastic bag surrounded by ice cubes so you can take it to the hospital.

When should I seek medical attention?

You should always seek prompt medical care if:

• The wound is a deep puncture, or you are unsure how severe it is.
• You have significant bleeding since the skin is badly torn or crushed.
• You notice warning signs of an infection such as swelling, pain, redness, or discharge from the wound.

If a cat or dog bit you, and you are unsure if the animal’s rabies vaccination is up to date, visit your provider to reduce your risk of rabies. You may also need to seek medical advice if a wild animal caused the bite; your provider will likely know which animals are most likely to carry rabies.

What does medical treatment involve?

Your healthcare provider will clean the wound and remove any damaged tissue before prescribing a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. If you are at risk of an infection, your provider may recommend tetanus. You may require a blood test to check for infection or imaging tests to see if anything is embedded in your wound and to check for any damage to your bones.

If your risk of infection is low, your doctor closes the wound with stitches, but high-risk wounds are left open for easy cleaning. In case of severe damage whereby the bite penetrates the joints and damages nerves and bones, your healthcare provider refers you to a specialist – you may need surgery. You may need to watch for possible signs of infection afterward, such as redness and swelling, pus from the wound, and fever.

Consult your doctor at Houston Medical ER to learn how you can prevent animal bites.