Is a dog or cat bite more serious than you think?
Whether it’s an innocent accident or an act of aggression, a dog or cat bite can be painful and lead to infection.
A recent study states that dog bites in the U.S. lead to an average of 337,000 emergency room visits per year, with children accounting for most of the visits. Additionally, more than 90% of the bites came from pets – mainly dogs. Though, 30% to 50% of cat bites end with infection whereas infection from dog bites occur at less than half that rate.
“You can’t completely protect yourself or your child from being bitten. However, education is key,” says Dr. Daniel Boyes, an emergency medicine physician with Advocate Health Care. “Properly training your own pet is a critical first step, especially since the animal is usually known by the person who gets bitten. It’s also vital to teach your child animal safety tips and the dangers animals can pose. Any pet can be unpredictable at times – even if they are well-trained.”
Proper care for dog or cat bites
As soon as any bite happens:
- Cleanse the area with soap and warm water
- Dry the area thoroughly
- Wrap or bandage it with a sterile dressing to help prevent infection
- Apply pressure to stop bleeding if needed
Dr. Boyes says you can seek care from your primary care provider or an immediate care clinic if the bite happens during office or clinic hours. But if any of the following conditions apply, go to the nearest emergency room:
- The bite is on or near a joint such as a finger, ankle or elbow
- The bite is very deep or gaping
- There is a possible broken bone
- There are signs of infection
Signs of infection include redness, swelling, progressive pain and fever. Red streaks running up the hand or arm are a sign that your infection is getting worse.
Bites to one body part in particular are especially at risk of infection.
“Unlike bites to other parts of the body, bites to the hand have a high incidence of infection due to their anatomical structure,” says Dr. Boyes. “You may not think it’s serious, but you should always seek medical attention after a bite to the hand. However, prompt and proper wound care for all bites lowers the risk of infection.”
When are stitches needed?
Stitches are only required in certain situations, such as bites to the face or genitals or where wounds are gaping, deep or large. The best way to prevent infection is to allow the wound to heal without stitches and with proper wound care.
Is rabies likely?
Depending on where you live, the bite may need to be reported to an animal control or public health agency. Your health care providers will ask for information about the animal that bit you or your child, including:
- Vaccination status of the animal
- Whether the animal had been acting normally or showing signs of rabies in the days leading up to the bite
- The contact information for the animal’s owner
“It’s extremely rare for a dog or cat in the U.S. to carry rabies, but the risk is still there and can be serious if not treated or diagnosed in a timely fashion,” Dr. Boyes says.
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About the Author
Jo Linsley, a health enews contributor, is a freelance copywriter at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. With decades of experience in writing and editing, she continues to aspire to concise and inspiring writing. She also enjoys knitting and singing as creative outlets and for their meditative qualities.
