Animal Bites

An animal bite is a wound caused by the teeth of an animal. The teeth puncture, tear, scratch, bruise, or crush the person's tissue. The injury can damage skin, nerves, bone, muscle, blood vessels, or joints.

Most bites occur when an animal has been provoked. Animals with rabies bite without being provoked.

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Most bites occur in children and young adults. Males are affected more often than females. Bites happen more frequently in warmer weather.

Symptoms of a bite include pain and bleeding.

Wounds may become infected due to the bacteria normally found in the animal's mouth, a systemic infection of the animal, like rabies , or from microbes on the skin or in the environment.

Symptoms of infection include:

• Fever
• Pain
• Pus oozing from the wound
• Redness around the wound
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Warmth

The doctor will ask about how the bite occurred, the animal that inflicted the bite, and your medical history. The doctor will examine the wound and assess for damage to any nearby muscles, tendons, nerves, or bones. If the wound appears infected, the doctor may use a sterile swab to remove a sample for testing.

Other tests may include:

• CT scan —to assess for head injuries in young children with scalp wounds
• X-rays —to check for broken bones

Treatment aims to promote healing, decrease the risk of infection, and prevent complications. If your dog bit you and it has had all its vaccinations, you may be able to treat a minor wound yourself. However, call your provider for medical advice. Receiving any necessary medical care within the first 24 hours decreases the chance of infection.

Seek medical care in these situations:

• Five or more years since your last tetanus shot
• Bite from any wild animal (Bites from rabbits and rodents (squirrels, mice, rats) are quite unlikely to cause rabies.)
• Cat or human bites (These are particularly prone to developing rapid and serious infection.)
• Deep or large wound
• Infection

Regardless of the severity of the bite, see a doctor if you have a chronic medical condition, such as:

• Arthritis or lupus
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart or lung disease
• Immune system deficiency
• Liver disease
• Poor circulation

To avoid being bitten by an animal:

• Be alert to signs like ear position or bared teeth. These are signs that a dog may bite.
• Be aware that most animal bites are from dogs. Dog owners are most likely to be bitten by their own dog.
• Carefully select pets. People with children should look for animals with easy-going temperaments.
• Do not bother an animal that is eating or sleeping.
• Do not run past a dog.
• Do not try to touch or restrain your own dog when it is injured or fighting with another dog.
• Do not wrestle with or promote aggression in your dog.
• If a dog approaches you, stay calm and let it sniff you. Do not make eye contact. Wait until the dog leaves or slowly backs away. If you are knocked to the ground, roll into a ball and protect your head and neck with your hands.
• Never approach a dog or another animal that you are unfamiliar with. Do not pet or play with sick or strange animals.
• Socialize and train your pet.
• Supervise children's interactions with animals. Teach children to respect animals and not put their faces close to a pet. Do not allow teasing or tail pulling.