Animal Bite

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is an animal bite? An animal bite is any wound that you get from coming into contact with an animal's teeth. The wound may be an abrasion (scrape), puncture (hole), or laceration (tear). This may happen on the head, face, neck, or any part of the body. The bite may crush or cause a deep wound and may injure the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, or body organs. It may sometimes lead to severe loss of blood, tissues, and body parts.

What causes an animal bite?

• Pets: Animal bites are often caused by a pet dog or cat. It may or may not be on purpose.
  
  
• Wild or zoo animals: These include monkeys, birds, bats, deer, weasels, foxes, wolves, lions, or bears. Beavers, skunks, raccoons, porcupines, squirrels, woodchucks, and snakes may also cause bite injuries. A bite from a wild animal often occurs when people have wild animals for pets. When a snake bites, venom (poison) may also be released into the skin. Ask your caregiver for more information on snake bites.
  
  
• Farm animals: Animal bites may also be caused by farm animals, such as pigs or horses.

• History: Your caregiver will need to know when and how you were bitten. Your caregiver will also need to know if you have other health problems, are taking medicines, and had past surgeries. Knowing what vaccinations (shots) you have received, such as tetanus, is also important.
  
  
  • Rabies: Animals that can spread rabies include dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats. Your caregiver will need to know if you were bitten by one of these animals. He will ask if something was done to cause the animal to attack. Animals that bite without a reason, such as being scared, can be a sign that the animal has rabies. Other signs are the animal was acting strangely or was foaming at the mouth. The animal may need to be caught or watched to see if it is sick. Rabies is a very serious disease and can lead to death if it is not treated. Ask your caregiver for more information about rabies if you have questions or concerns.
    
    
  
  
• Physical exam: Caregivers will look closely at your injury, including the area around it. He will check to see if the skin is broken or not and how deep the wound is. He will also look for other problems or signs of infection. How well you move and feel things in your injured body part may be tested.
  
  
• Tests: Different tests may be done to check for other problems caused by the animal bite.
  
  
  • Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
    
    
  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a simple test that looks inside of your body. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a TV-like screen.
    
    
  • X-rays: These are pictures of your bones and tissues around your wound. You may need to have an x-ray, especially if the wound is near a joint or bone. Caregivers use the pictures to look for broken bones, other injuries, or foreign objects.
    
    
  • Wound culture: This is a method to grow and identify the germs that may be in your wound. This helps caregivers learn what kind of infection you have and what medicine is best to treat it.
    
    
  • Angiography: This test looks for problems with the arteries in a part of the body. A dye is used to help the arteries show up better on the pictures. Pictures may be taken using an x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a computed tomography (CT) scan.

• Wound cleaning: Foreign objects, such as pieces of teeth, that are left inside the skin will be removed carefully. The wound will be cleaned with soap, water, and antiseptics (germ-killing solutions). This helps wash away germs which may be in the wound, and decrease the chances of infection. Flushing with sterile (clean) water further cleans the wound. This is done under high pressure, using a needle or catheter (tube) tip and large syringe. Objects, dirt, or dead tissues from the open wound will be removed with debridement (surgical cleaning). Caregivers may drain the wound to clean out pus.
  
  
• Supportive treatments: Ice or other cold packs may be applied on the bite area to help decrease swelling and bruising. A neck brace may be needed if the bite is on the on the face, head, or neck area. Oxygen or blood transfusion may be given for severe bite wounds.
  
  
• Medicines: Your caregiver will give you antibiotic medicine to fight or stop infection. You may also be given medicine to ease your symptoms, such as pain and swelling. Tetanus or rabies shots and immune globulins may also be given.
  
  
• Surgery: Your wound may be left open until it heals or may be closed right away using stitches (threads). You may also need surgery to repair a fracture (broken bone) or damaged blood vessel, joint, tendon, or nerve. Surgery to remove, reconnect, or rebuild the injured body part may also be done.

• Do not disturb an animal that is eating, sleeping, or caring for its young.
  
  
• Do not go near an animal that you are not familiar with. Do not run or scream in its presence.
  
  
• Do not pet a dog without letting it sniff you first.
  
  
• Make noise and avoid areas where wild animals often stay or are found. Always read and follow sign posts.
  
  
• Treat animals with respect. Do not tease them.
  
  
• If you encounter a wild animal:
  
  
  • Do not make eye contact or stare directly at the animal.
    
    
  • Slowly and carefully back off without making sudden or threatening gestures.
    
    
  • Play dead in the presence of a bear with cubs.
    
    
  • Make noise and appear threatening to a bear that seems to be hunting. A pepper spray may also be used.

• Flush the bitten area with clean water, preferably boiled or treated with germ-killing solutions. Use mild soap to further clean the wound. Cleaning the wound may help decrease the risk of infection. You may also use a cleaning solution, such as one percent povidone solution or 40 to 70 percent alcohol.
  
  
• Gently remove dirt and foreign objects seen in the wound area. You may do this by swabbing the wound with a soft clean cloth or gauze.
  
  
• Apply direct pressure on the wound using a clean cloth to stop or control bleeding. Do not use a tourniquet unless blood loss cannot be controlled by direct pressure.
  
  
• Cover the wound with a clean bandage. Keep the injured area from moving to decrease pain. This may be done by placing a splint and bandage.
  
  
• Sit or lie down so the wound is raised above your heart. You may put pillows under an injured leg when lying in bed. A sling may be used if the arm or hand is injured. Elevating the wound area will help decrease swelling. Do not raise it too high because it may cause more serious injury.
  
  
• Consult your caregiver as soon as possible.

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org