Animal or Human Bites
Description
- Bite or claw wound from a pet or farm animal
- Bite or claw wound from a wild animal
- Bite from a human child or adult
- Animal or human bites usually need to be seen because all of them are contaminated with saliva and prone to wound infection
Types of Animal Bites
Bites from Rabies-Prone Wild Animals
Rabies is a fatal disease. Bites or scratches from a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote, or large wild animal are especially dangerous. These animals can transmit rabies even if they have no symptoms.
Small Wild Animal Bites
Rodents such as mice, rats, moles, gophers, chipmunks, prairie dogs and rabbits fortunately are considered free of rabies. Squirrels rarely carry rabies, but have not transmitted it to humans.
Large Pet Animal Bites
Most bites from pets are from dogs or cats. Bites from domestic animals such as horses can be handled using these guidelines. Dogs and cats are free of rabies in most metro areas, but stray animals are always at risk for rabies.
Cats and dogs that are never allowed to roam freely outdoors are considered free of rabies. The main risk in pet bites is serious wound infection, not rabies. Cat bites become infected more often than dog bites.
Claw wounds from cats are treated the same as bite wounds, since they are contaminated with saliva.
Small Indoor Pet Animal Bites
Small indoor pets (gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, white mice, etc.) are at no risk for rabies. Puncture wounds from these small animals also don't need to be seen. They carry a small risk for wound infections.
Human Bites
Most human bites occur during fights, especially in teenagers. Sometimes a fist is cut when it strikes a tooth. Human bites are more likely to become infected than animal bites. Many toddler bites are safe because they don't break the skin.
When to Call Your Doctor for Animal or Human Bites
Call 911 Now If:
- Major bleeding that can't be stopped
- Not moving or too weak to stand
- First Aid Advice: Apply direct pressure to the entire wound with a clean cloth
Call Your Doctor Now If:
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Bleeding won't stop with 10 minutes of direct pressure (continue pressure until seen)
- First Aid Advice: Wash all the following wounds with warm water and soap before bringing your child in:
- Any contact with an animal at risk for rabies
- Any cut or injury from a wild animal
- Any cut or injury from a pet animal (e.g. dog or cat) (Exception: superficial scratches that don’t go through the skin or tiny puncture wound)
- Puncture wound (holes through skin) from teeth or claws (Exception: small pet such as a gerbil)
- Human bite that breaks the skin
- Bite looks infected (redness or red streaks)
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Last tetanus shot > 5 years ago
- Bat contact or exposure without a bite mark
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:
- You have other questions or concerns
Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):
Bleeding
For any bleeding, apply continuous pressure for 10 minutes.
Cleansing
Wash all wounds immediately with soap and water for 5 minutes. Also flush vigorously under running water for a few minutes. (Reason: can prevent many wound infections).
Scrub the wound enough to make it re-bleed a little. (Reason: to help with cleaning out the wound).
Antibiotic Ointment
Apply an antibiotic ointment to the bite 3 times a day for three days.
Pain Medicine
Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
Expected Course
Most scratches, scrapes and other minor bites heal up fine in 3 to 5 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Wound begins to look infected (pus, redness, red streaks)
- Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms
Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2006.