ANIMAL OR HUMAN BITE
Main Symptoms
- Bite or claw wound from a pet, farm or wild animal
- Bite from a human child or adult.
Risk of Bites
- Animal or human bites usually need to be seen because all of them are contaminated with saliva and prone to wound infection.
Types of Bites
- Bites from Rabies-Prone Wild Animals: Rabies is a fatal disease. Bites or scratches from a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote, or large wild animal are especially dangerous. These animals can transmit rabies even if they have no symptoms.
- Small Wild Animal Bites: Rodents such as mice, rats, moles, gophers, chipmunks, prairie dogs and rabbits fortunately are considered free of rabies. Squirrels rarely carry rabies, but have not transmitted it to humans.
- 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. Dogs and cats are free of rabies in most metro areas, but stray animals are always at risk for rabies. Cats and dogs that are never allowed to roam freely outdoors are considered free of rabies. The main risk in pet bites is serious wound infection, not rabies. Cat bites become infected more often than dog bites. Claw wounds from cats are treated the same as bite wounds, since they are contaminated with saliva.
- Small Indoor Pet Animal Bites: Small indoor pets (gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, white mice, etc.) are at no risk for rabies. Puncture wounds from these small animals also don't need to be seen. They carry a small risk for wound infections.
- Human Bites: Most human bites occur during fights, especially in teenagers. Sometimes a fist is cut when it strikes a tooth. Human bites are more likely to become infected than animal bites. Many toddler bites are safe because they don't break the skin.
FIRST AID Advice for Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the entire wound with a clean cloth.
FIRST AID Advice for Bites and Scratches: Wash all new bite wounds and scratches with soap and warm water immediately to prevent wound infections.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANIMAL OR HUMAN BITES
Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If:
- Major bleeding that can't be stopped. (See FIRST AID)
- Not moving or too weak to stand
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Bleeding won't stop with 10 minutes of direct pressure (continue pressure until seen)
- Any contact with an animal at risk for RABIES
- Any cut or injury from a wild animal
- Any cut or injury from a pet animal (e.g., dog or cat) (EXCEPTION: bruise or superficial scratches that don't go through the skin or tiny puncture wound)
- Puncture wound (holes through skin) from CAT teeth or claws
- Puncture wound of hand or face
- Human bite that breaks the skin
- Bite looks infected (redness or red streaks)
- See FIRST AIR for all new bites
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
- You think your child needs to be seen.
- Last tetanus shot more than 5 years ago.
- Bat contact or exposure without a bite mark.
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
- You have other questions or concerns.
Parent Care at Home If
- PET ANIMAL BITE: tiny puncture wound or superficial scratches (EXCEPTION: cat puncture wound).
- ANIMAL or HUMAN BITE that didn't break the skin (bruise).
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR ANIMAL OR HUMAN BITE
- Cleansing:
- Wash all wounds immediately with soap and water for 5 minutes.
- Also, flush vigorously under running water for a few minutes (Reason: can prevent many wound infections).
- Scrub the wound enough to make it re-bleed a little. (Reason: to help with cleaning out the wound).
- Bleeding: For any bleeding, apply continuous pressure for 10 minutes.
- Antibiotic ointment: For small cuts, apply an antibiotic ointment (e.g. Neosporin, Bacitracin) to the bite 3 times a day for three days.
- Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
- Bruises: Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet washcloth once for 20 minutes. (Reason: reduce bleeding, pain, and swelling)
- Expected Course: Most scratches, scrapes and other minor bites heal up fine in 3 to 5 days.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Wound begins to look infected (redness, swelling, warmth, tender to touch, or red streaks)
- You become worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
REFERENCES
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Infectious Diseases. Wound Infections. In Pickering L, ed. 2006 Red Book. 27th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: 2006.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Infectious Diseases. Animal Bites. In Pickering L, ed. 2006 Red Book. 27th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: 2006.
- Brogan T, et al. Severe dog bites in children. Pediatrics. 1995;96:947-950.
- Garcia VF. Animal bites and pasturella infections. Pediatr Rev. 1997;18:127-130.
- Leung AKC et al. Human bites in children. Pediatr Emerg Care. 1992;8:255.
- Litwin CM. Pet-transmitted infections: diagnosis by microbiologic and immunologic methods. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003; 22:768-777.
- Ostdiek SA and Shackelford PG. Human bite wounds. Rep Pediatr Infect Dis. 1997;7(9):33-34.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.