ANIMAL BITES

BAsic information

description

Bite wounds to humans from dogs, cats, or other animals (including humans).

frequent signs and symptoms

• Bite wounds can be tears, punctures, scratches, ripping, or crushing injuries.
• Dog bites usually involve the hands, face, or the legs and feet.
• Cat bites usually involve the hands, followed by legs, feet, face, and trunk.

causes

• Most bite wounds are from a domestic pet known to the victim. Large dogs are the most common source.
• Human bites are often the result of one person striking another in the mouth with a clenched fist.

risk increases with

Exposure to domestic pets or wild animals.

preventive measures

• Education on how to avoid animal bites, for children as well as adults.
• Avoid stray animals.

expected outcomes

• Wounds should steadily improve and close over in 7 to 10 days.
• Dog bites rarely become infected. Cat bites and human bites frequently become infected.

POSsible complications

Infection, extensive soft tissue injuries with scarring, hemorrhage, rabies, and sometimes death.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Elevate the injured extremity to prevent swelling.
• If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a clean towel or cloth until bleeding stops. Clean wound with soap and water, then dry the area and cover it with sterile gauze or clean cloth.
• Do not apply antiseptic or other medicine.
• Call your health care provider, or take the patient to an emergency department if the wound is severe, it won't stop bleeding, or the bite was from a wild animal or one behaving strangely.
• Contact the local health department and consult with them about the prevalence of rabies in the species of animal involved.
• If possible, the animal that caused the bite should checked for rabies. Call an animal control office for instructions.

medications

• Preventive antibiotic treatment may be prescribed.
• Antitetanus injection may have to be given.
• Sometimes, an antirabies vaccine or serum may have to be given.

activity

No restrictions, except those caused by the injury.

diet

No special diet.

notify our office if

• You or a family member suffers from an animal bite.
• The bite does not begin to heal in 2 to 3 days.
• New or unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.