Animal Bite (General)

Home care

• Care for the wound as directed. If a dressing was applied to the wound, change it as directed.

• Wash your hands well with soap and warm water before and after caring for the wound. This helps lower the risk of infection.

• If the wound bleeds, place a clean, soft cloth on the wound. Then, firmly apply pressure until the bleeding stops. This may take up to 5 minutes. Don't release the pressure and look at the wound during this time.

• Most skin wounds heal within 10 days. An infection can occur even with correct treatment. So be sure to watch the wound for signs of infection (see below). Check the wound as often as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Antibiotics may be prescribed. These help prevent or treat infection. If you’re given antibiotics, take them as directed. Also, be sure to complete the medicines.

Rabies prevention

Rabies is a virus that can be carried in certain animals. These can include domestic animals such as dogs and cats. Wild animals, such as skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats, can also carry rabies. Pets fully vaccinated against rabies (2 shots) are at very low risk of infection. But because human rabies is almost always fatal, any biting pet should be confined for 10 days as an extra safety measure. In general, if there's a risk for rabies, these steps may need to be taken:

• If someone’s pet dog or cat has bitten you, it should be kept in a secure area for the next 10 days to watch for signs of illness. (If the pet owner won’t allow this, contact your local animal control center.) Ask the pet owner for vaccine records if available. If the dog or cat becomes ill or dies during that time, contact your local animal control center immediately so the animal may be tested for rabies. If the pet stays healthy for the next 10 days, there is no danger of rabies in the animal or you.

• If a stray pet bit you, contact your local animal control center. They can give information on capture, quarantine, and animal rabies testing.

• If you can’t find the animal that bit you in the next 2 days, and if rabies exists in your region, you may need to receive the rabies vaccine series. Call your healthcare provider right away. Or return to the emergency department right away.

• All animal bites should be reported to the local animal control center. If you were not given a form to fill out, you can report this yourself.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed.

When to get medical advice

Get medical care right away if any of these occur:

• Signs of infection:

  • Spreading redness or warmth from the wound

  • Increased pain or swelling

  • Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your provider

  • Colored fluid or pus draining from the wound

• Signs of rabies infection:

  • Headache

  • Confusion

  • Strange behavior

  • Increased salivating and drooling

  • Seizure

• Decreased ability to move any body part near the bite area

• Bleeding that can't be stopped after 5 minutes of firm pressure