About this topic
Many kinds of animals can bite you. A few of them are dogs, cats, hamsters, raccoons, and squirrels. A bite from an animal may cause a bruise or an open wound on the skin. If you have a wound, you may be more likely to get an infection. Your own pets are often the cause of bites, most often dogs. Cat bites can be more risky. In rare cases, any kind of bite may lead to a very bad health problem called rabies. ‚
A wild animal or someone elses pet may bite you. If this is the case, be sure to call an animal control expert. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your wound. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- How to clean your wound
- If there are drugs you should put on your wound
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may want you to follow up in 48 hours to check for infection.
- If you have stitches, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
You may also get a tetanus or rabies shot from your doctor. If rabies shots are needed, they are given over a specific period of time. Make sure you keep all appointments to get all of your shots. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
For minor bruises or wounds, you will likely be able to do your normal activities. If your wound is very bad, you may have to limit your activity. ‚
What problems could happen?
Most animal bites get better without problems. Sometimes, there are problems like: ‚
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Pain in the bitten area
- Drainage, swelling, or redness at wound site
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Always be careful when playing with pets.
- Do not bother animals, especially when they are eating.
- Do not interact with unknown animals. Help your children learn which animals are OK to play with.
- Do not play with wild animals. Keep your fingers out of cages at zoos and pet stores.
- Keep your pets rabies shots up to date.
- Keep your tetanus shot up to date.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up; or red streaks on your skin from your wound.
- Pain gets worse
- Stiff neck, arms, or legs
- Confusion
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you how to care for my wound.
- I can tell you what I will do to help prevent another animal bite.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Animal-Bites.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚