Animal Bites

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.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

The most common animal bite is a dog bite. Cat bites are the second most common. Cat bites can be more serious because they produce puncture-type wounds. Stray animals and wild animals, including bats, cause 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.

What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?

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:

How is the injury recognized?

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.

What can be done to prevent the injury?

Most animal bites can be prevented by following these guidelines.

What are the treatments for the injury?

There are three things to consider when treating animal bites:

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 also helps 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. The provider should also be contacted if the person has not had a Clostridium tetani\ bacteria. ',CAPTION,'Tetanus');" onmouseout="return nd();"> tetanus shot in the past 5 years.

Emergency care should be sought immediately in these situations.

The healthcare provider may consider the following treatment options:

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.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

With any wound, there are always the risks of infection and bleeding. 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.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:02/06/01
Reviewer:William M. Boggs, MD
Date Reviewed:08/20/01