ANIMAL BITES

General Information

DEFINITION--Bite wounds to humans from dogs, cats or other animals including humans.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Usually the hands, face or legs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--All ages and both sexes, but more often occurs in children and males.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

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

CAUSES

• Bite wounds are often 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. Dog bites rarely become infected. Cat bites and human bites frequently become infected.

HOW TO PREVENT

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

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observations.
• Doctor's examination.
• Culture of wound fluids, x-rays (if wound is near a bone or joint), exploratory surgery sometimes to determine extent of injuries.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Wound cleaning.
• Surgical closure if needed.
• Wound will usually be left open to heal to lessen risk of infection.
• Splint hand if it is injured.
• Human bite wounds on the hands should not be primarily closed due to the high risk of infection.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Complications from bites can included infection, extensive soft tissue injuries with scarring, hemorrhage, rabies, and sometimes death.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Wounds should steadily improve and close over by 7-10 days.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Elevation of the injured extremity to prevent swelling.
• Contact the local health department and consult about the prevalence of rabies in the species of animal involved.
• If possible the animal that caused the bite should be held and checked for rabies.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Preventive antibiotic treatment.
• Antitetanus injection.
• Antirabies vaccine or serum (sometimes).

ACTIVITY--No restrictions, except those caused by the injury.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

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