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The healthcare professional treating you may:
- clean the wound and remove any damaged tissue
- prescribe a course of antibiotics to prevent infection
- recommend specific treatment to prevent infections such as tetanus if you're felt to be at risk
How do you treat an animal bite?
What to Do
- Wash the bite area with soap and water. If the bite is bleeding, put pressure on it using sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
- If the bleeding has stopped, put antibiotic ointment on the area.
- Cover the area with a bandage or sterile gauze.
- If your child has pain, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
What is the first aid for an animal bite?
The following conditions typically apply in dog bite cases:
- You will need to show proof of your dog's rabies vaccination history.
- A quarantine period may be required. ...
- Depending on the situation and your dog's history, it is possible for your dog to be designated a " dangerous dog ." You may have to comply with specific laws ...
What should I do after a dog bite?
- Irrigate copiously, using tap water or normal salinew3 w4
- Remove foreign bodies (teeth)
- Perform a thorough wound toilet and debridement where necessaryw3 w4
- Delay closure of the wound where possible
- Raise and immobilise the limb if the injury is associated with (or is likely to cause) swelling
What is the best treatment for a dog bite?
What is the best treatment for animal bite?
What to DoWash the bite area with soap and water. If the bite is bleeding, put pressure on it using sterile gauze or a clean cloth.If the bleeding has stopped, put antibiotic ointment on the area.Cover the area with a bandage or sterile gauze.If your child has pain, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
What is the primary management for animal and human bites?
After being bitten by an animal or human, it is important to quickly and thoroughly clean the wound with soap and a large amount of water; this can help to prevent infection. If there is bleeding, a clean towel or gauze should be pressed to the wound to slow or stop the bleeding.
What are the actions you take for a human animal bites?
To take care of a human bite that breaks the skin:Stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean, dry cloth.Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.Apply a clean bandage. Cover the affected area with a nonstick bandage.Seek emergency medical care.
What antibiotic is used for animal bites?
Infected animal bite wounds should be treated with an empiric antimicrobial agent, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, that is active against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. For intravenous therapy, ampicillin-sulbactam or piperacillin-tazobactam may be used.
What should you do when bitten by a dog?
If a dog bites you, take these steps right away:Wash the wound. ... Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth.Apply over-the counter antibiotic cream if you have it.Wrap the wound in a sterile bandage.Keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor.Change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound.More items...•
How is dog bite managed?
Treatment of bites The management of dog bites remains a topic of controversy. It is important to sponge away visible dirt, perform copious irrigation, culture wounds (if they appear infected), and debride devitalized tissue.
How do you treat rabies without a vaccine?
Once a rabies infection is established, there's no effective treatment. Though a small number of people have survived rabies, the disease usually causes death. For that reason, if you think you've been exposed to rabies, you must get a series of shots to prevent the infection from taking hold.
Do you need a tetanus shot for a human bite?
If you or your child isn't up to date with your vaccinations, a tetanus shot might be necessary. And any bites that puncture the skin deeper than one centimeter also require an immediate tetanus shot.
Do you need a tetanus shot for a dog bite?
You do not need to get a tetanus shot after a dog bite. However, The Cleveland Clinic notes that getting a tetanus shot, or at least ensuring that you are up to date on your tetanus shot, is often a worthwhile precaution after getting bitten by a dog.
What is the best antibiotic for a cat bite?
Amoxicillin with clavulanate is the current recommendation for antibiotic treatment for cat bites. In penicillin-allergic patients or those with penicillin-resistant strains, other alternatives are necessary.
What is the treatment for a cat bite?
First, you want to try to flush out as much bacteria as possible and then irrigate the wound with water. Next, wash the wound with mild soap and water. Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth and apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream if you have it. Then, wrap the wound in a sterile bandage.
Do you need antibiotics after a cat bite?
Yes. It is advisable to see a physician as soon as possible in order to have the injury properly treated. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics in order to reduce the risk of infection developing at the site of the bite or elsewhere in the body.
How to reduce the risk of being bitten by an animal?
You can do this by using common sense and remembering the following: Avoid contact with unknown animals. Never feed or attempt to catch wild animals, such as squirrels, raccoons, or rats.
Why do you need antibiotics for cat bites?
Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection resulting from an animal bite. The following types of bites usually warrant antibiotics: cat bites. wounds that require debriding. heavily contaminated wounds. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to older adults or people who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes.
What animals bite you?
Or maybe a neighbor’s dog bites you accidentally during a friendly game of catch. Many types of animals can inflict bites on adults and children. Most animal bites are from the family pet, but the following animals can bite too: raccoons. ferrets.
What are the risks of getting a dog bite?
There may be a risk of getting: an infection, including bacterial and rabies infections. broken animal teeth embedded in your wound. foreign objects embedded in your wound. possible nerve and blood vessel damage. The following types of bites pose the greatest risk of infection and should be promptly evaluated: dog bites.
Why do doctors irrigate wounds?
Your doctor will irrigate the wound to clean it properly. This is important to prevent infection. Irrigation may not always prevent infection, but it does reduce the risk. A local anesthetic may be used to minimize pain.
Can a dog bite you?
Never engage in aggressive playing with animals. A family dog can accidentally bite you during a friendly game of tug-of-war. Never stick your fingers into animal cages. Unless the bite is completely unprovoked or the animal is sick, most bites can be prevented easily. Last medically reviewed on January 29, 2016.
Can you get a dog bite if you tease it?
Animal bites can result when an animal is provoked. Provoked bites may occur if you try to remove food while a dog is eating. They can also happen if you tease your family pet. However, in many cases animal bites are unprovoked. Unprovoked bites can occur in your backyard.
What to do if your child bites an animal?
Contact your pediatrician whenever your child receives an animal bite that breaks the skin, no matter how minor the injury appears. The doctor will need to check whether your child has been adequately immunized against tetanus or might require protection against rabies.
How long does it take for a child to stop bleeding from an animal bite?
If your child is bleeding from an animal bite, apply firm continuous pressure to the area for five minutes or until the blood flow stops.
How long does it take for a genital area bite to show signs of infection?
Facial bites. Hand and foot bites. Genital area bites. Your pediatrician may recommend a follow-up visit to inspect any wound for signs of infection within forty-eight hours.
How to tell if a dog bite is infected?
Like any other wound, a bite can become infected. Notify your pediatrician immediately if you see any of the following signs of infection: 1 Pus or drainage coming from the bite 2 The area immediately around the bite becoming swollen and tender (It normally will be red for two or three days, but this in itself is not cause for alarm.) 3 Red streaks that appear to spread out from the bite 4 Swollen glands above the bite
What to do if a wound is too large?
If the wound is very large, or if you cannot stop the bleeding, continue to apply pressure and call your pediatrician to find out where to take your child for treatment. If the wound is so large that the edges won’t come together, it probably will need to be sutured (stitched).
How to treat a bite from an animal?
The next step in caring for an animal bite is to disinfect the wound. After the bleeding has been staunched, make sure the area is clean. Animal mouths are dirty, and an uncleaned wound can lead to infection in the wounded area. When the bite caused a superficial scratch or wound, gently cleanse it with warm water and soap. After the cleaning, you should rinse it for several minutes. If you have the appropriate kind of cream with you (a topical antibiotic ointment), apply it to reduce your risk of getting an infection. These creams should be found in most first aid kits or medicine cabinets. If you go camping, make sure you bring a first aid kit that includes antibiotic cream in case of injuries.
How to stop bleeding from animal bite?
When an animal bite breaks the skin, the first step is to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure directly to the wound until the bleeding ceases . If the bleeding doesn't stop within ten minutes after applying steady, firm pressure, you need to call 911. You should also call 911 if the bleeding is particularly severe, or if blood spurts out of the wound. These symptoms indicate the bite may have damaged an artery or other important parts of the body. If the wound is severe, you should also call 911 right away. Otherwise, apply pressure using a towel, washcloth, or other compresses. If you need to use your hand to stop the bleeding, make sure the hand in contact with the wound is clean.
What to do with a wound that is clean?
Once the wound is clean, the next goal on your list is to bandage the wound with sterile material. Again, if you're outdoors hiking or camping, pack sterile bandages in your first aid kit. There is a difference between a wound dressing and bandage; be sure to have both. The dressing is the compress or sterile pad you apply directly to the wound. The bandage is generally placed over the dressing to hold it. Simply put, the bandage is the sticky part, while the dressing is the softer pad. You shouldn't let the sticky portion of the bandage come into contact with the wound.
How to treat a small bite from a wild animal?
The first steps in treating the wound include: thoroughly cleaning the wound with soap and water. applying a bandage. If the wound is small and not the result of a wild animal bite, a person may not need to seek medical attention right away. Instead, they should keep the wound clean and check for signs of infection.
How to prevent animal bites?
A person should take all animal bites seriously. The first step to preventing infection is to clean and bandage the wound. A person should seek medical attention if the bite is from a wild animal or is deep enough that it may require stitches. It is important to check the bite regularly for signs of infection.
What happens if you bite a cat?
If the bite causes a cut, the person is at a higher risk of developing an infection. However, the highest risk of infection follows a puncture wound, which is common from a cat bite. However, anyone who sustains a bite from any animal should get a tetanus vaccine if not up to date. Keep reading for more information on animal bite infections, ...
What are the symptoms of an animal bite?
Symptoms. Share on Pinterest. Following an animal bite, a person may experience inflammation, pain, and redness. Animal bites can lead to a variety of symptoms, including: inflammation. pain. redness. swelling. These symptoms typically appear on or around the area of the bite but will not develop immediately.
How many people get dog bites a year?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, over 5 million people report animal bites each year. Of that number, 90% are due to dog bites. However, only 10 to 15% of dog bites become infected. Dogs are most likely to bite if they are overexcited, scared, or injured.
How to stop bleeding from a wound?
If any signs of infection develop, talk to a doctor right away. For deeper wounds, apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding is under control, apply a clean bandage to the wound.
What animals bite people?
Some of the most likely animals to bite someone include bats, raccoons, wild dogs, and foxes. One of the concerns of a wild animal bite is the risk of the animal carrying rabies. A person should seek medical attention for any wild animal bite that breaks the surface of the skin.
Background
Animal bites are common worldwide. Due to the plethora of animals, there are diverse pathogens with specific associated risks and treatment algorithms. It is crucial to understand these to develop and execute appropriate management plans.
INTRODUCTION
Animal bites are a common indication for medical care both in the United States and worldwide, accounting for approximately 1% of emergency department visits and more than 50 million dollars in annual healthcare costs in the United States alone.
METHODS
Using the PubMed database, a literature search was performed with the inclusion criteria of English Language AND 1990-Current AND Humans for the following individual MESH terms: Bites and Stings, Dogs, Cats, Equidae, Sharks, Alligators and Crocodiles, Fish, Rodentia, Rats, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Snake Bites, Snakes, Spider Bites, and Spiders.
DISCUSSION
Animal bites are a common cause of medical visits worldwide; familiarity with the clinical presentations and complications of animal bites allows the clinician to better treat these bites. The presentation of injuries is broad, and the appropriate treatment is predicated on both the characteristics of the inciting animal and the patient.
REFERENCES
1. Hurt JB, Maday KR. Management and treatment of animal bites. JAAPA Off J Am Acad Physician Assist. 2018;31:27–31. [ Google Scholar]
Who to report animal bites?
Inform the patient that the animal bite will be reported to the Public Health Department and to Law Enforcement (for purposes of reporting to the appropriate Animal Control Authorities).
What number do I call for poison control in Michigan?
ii Snake bites require contact with Michigan Poison Control (1-800-222-1222, ask specifically to speak with the toxicologist). Poison Control tracks available anti-venom supply and can assist in rapidly obtaining appropriate anti -venom. Please see the ED Snake Bite Envenomation Protocol
