Animal Bites
Domestic pets cause most animal bites. Dogs are more likely to bite than cats. Cat bites, however, are more likely to cause infection. Bites from non-immunized domestic animals and wild animals carry the risk of rabies. Rabies is more common in raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. Rabbits, squirrels and other rodents rarely harbor rabies. If you or your child is bitten by an animal, follow these guidelines:
- If the bite barely breaks the skin, treat it as a minor wound. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover it with a clean bandage.
- If the bite creates a deep puncture of the skin or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and see your doctor.
- If you notice signs of infection such as swelling, redness, increased pain or oozing, see your doctor immediately.
- If you suspect the bite was caused by an animal that might harbor rabies — any unprovoked bite from a wild or domestic animal of unknown immunization status — see your doctor immediately.
Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last one was more than 5 years ago and your wound is deep or dirty, your doctor may recommend a booster. You should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury.
