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Definition

• Bite or claw wound from a pet, farm or wild animal

General Information

• Animal bites usually need to be seen by a physician because all bites are contaminated with saliva and are prone to wound infection.

• If any redness develops around the wound 1-4 days after an animal bite, this usually means that the bite has become infected.

• Bites on the hands are at increased risk of complications.

Types of Wounds

• Bruising: There is no break in the skin. No risk of infection.

• Abrasion or Scratch: Low risk of infection. Antibiotic therapy to prevent infection is not needed.

• Laceration: Intermediate risk of infection. Wound cleansing and irrigation can help prevent infection by washing out the bacteria from the wound. Sometimes debridement of the wound edges is needed. Antibiotic therapy to prevent infection may be needed.

• Puncture Wound: Intermediate risk of infection. Puncture wounds from cat bites are especially prone to getting infected; many physicians will prescribe antibiotics for cat bites to try to prevent 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 other carnivores are especially dangerous. These animals can transmit rabies even if they have no symptoms. Bats have transmitted rabies without a detectable bite mark (MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008 May 23;57:1-28).

• Small Wild Animal Bites: Rabbits and small rodents (such as squirrels, mice, rats, and chipmunks) rarely become infected with rabies and have not been known to transmit it to humans. These bites can sometimes get infected.

• 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. The main risk from pet bites is serious wound infection. Cat bites become infected more often than dog bites. Claw wounds from cats are treated the same as bite wounds, since the claws may be contaminated with saliva. Bites from pet pigs or primates also have a high rate of wound infection. Bites on the hands or feet have a higher risk of infection than bites to other parts of the body.

• Small Indoor Pet Animal Bites: Small indoor pets (gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, white mice, rats, etc.) are at no risk for rabies. Puncture wounds from these small animals also don't need to be seen. There is only a small risk for developing a wound infection (Reason: the wound infection rate is low because the bites often don't penetrate the dermis)

• Puppy Teeth and Puncture Wounds: Puncture wounds from puppies usually don't need to be seen because they barely puncture the skin. Puppy teeth are tiny and sharp. They cause shallow punctures that look like “a dot”. They occur commonly in the majority of children and adults who care for a puppy.

Wild Animals at risk for RABIES

• Bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote

• Any other large wild animal.

Pet animals at higher risk for RABIES

• Outdoor pets who are stray, sick or unvaccinated AND living in communities where rabies occurs in pets. You should check with your local Public Health Department about the risk for rabies in your community.

• Dogs and cats in developing countries.

• Unprovoked bite.

First Aid:

FIRST AID Advice for Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the entire wound with a clean cloth.

FIRST AID Advice for all Bites and Scratches: Wash all bite wounds and scratches with soap and warm water.

When to Call Your Doctor

Call 911 Now (you may need an ambulance) If

• Major bleeding that can't be stopped (see First Aid)

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You think you have a serious injury

• Bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure (continue pressure until seen by a physician)

• Any break in skin (e.g., cut, puncture or scratch) caused by a wild animal

• Any break in skin (e.g., cut, puncture or scratch) caused by a monkey

• Any break in skin (e.g., cut, puncture or scratch) caused by an animal that may carry rabies

• Any break in skin (e.g., cut, puncture or scratch) caused by pet animal (e.g., dog, cat) Exception: superficial scratches that don't go through the skin or tiny puncture wound

• Puncture wound (holes through skin) caused by a cat (teeth or claws)

• Note: For all new bites, see First Aid

• Bite looks infected (redness, swelling, warmth, tender to touch, or red streaks)

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• You think you need to be seen

• Your last tetanus shot was more than 10 years ago

• Suspicious bat exposure (e.g., bat found in same room as sleeping adult) and no bite mark

Self Care at Home If

• Tiny puncture wound (e.g., from gerbil, mouse, hamster, puppy)

• Bite that didn't break the skin (i.e., just a bruise)

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR ANIMAL BITE