Some Basics...

• Animal bites can cause many different types of wounds. Bites can cause bruises, scratches, cuts, and puncture wounds.
• Animal bites are very dirty and can get infected. If there is redness around the bite wound after 1-4 days, this most often means it is infected. Bites on the hands are more likely to get infected. Cat bites and scratches often become infected.
• Some animals can carry rabies. This is a virus that can be very serious. Infected animals can give rabies to people by biting them. Any person with a bite from an animal that might have rabies should see a doctor.
• An animal bite that breaks the skin has a risk of tetanus. If it has been more than 5 years since the last shot, a tetanus booster is needed.
• A person with an animal bite that breaks the skin will most likely need to see a doctor.

Types of Wounds

• Bruising: With a bruise, there is no break in the skin. There is no risk of infection.
• Scratch: Low chance of infection. Antibiotic drugs are not needed.
• Cut: Some chance of infection. Cleaning the wound can help prevent this. Antibiotic drugs may be needed.
• Puncture Wound: Greater chance of infection. Cat bites are more likely to get infected. Antibiotic drugs may be needed.

Types of Animal Bites

Bites from wild animals are usually more serious.

• Some wild animals can have rabies. Rabies is a disease that can kill people. Bites or scratches from a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, or coyote could have rabies. These animals may have no signs of rabies but can still give it to people.
• Rabbits, squirrels, mice, rats, and chipmunks will not give people rabies. Their bites can still get infected.

People can also get bitten by pet animals.

• Small pets (gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats) do not have rabies. Bites from small pets usually do not break the skin. Most often, a person does not need to see a doctor for these bites.
• Large pets, like cats or dogs, can bite deeper. These bites are more likely to get infected. Cat scratches can get infected just like a bite because cats lick their claws. Puncture wounds from puppies often do not need to be seen by a doctor. Puppy teeth are tiny and barely break the skin.

What Animals Can Carry Rabies?

• Bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, or coyote
• Other large wild animals
• Pets that have never had rabies shots
• Outdoor animals who are sick or stray
• Dogs or cats from countries that do not require rabies shots

1. What You Should Know:
   • Animal bites may cause bruises, scratches, cuts, or puncture wounds.
   • Animal bites are very dirty and can get infected. If there is redness around the bite wound after 1-4 days, this most often means it is infected. Bites on the hands are more likely to get infected. Cat bites and scratches often become infected.
   • You can treat minor animal bites at home.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
     
2. Bleeding:
   • Put a gauze pad or clean cloth on top of the wound.
   • Press down on the place that is bleeding with your fingers.
   • This is called using direct pressure. It is the best way to stop bleeding.
3. Cleansing: Wash all bites and scratches right away with soap and water for 5 minutes. Scrub enough to make it re-bleed a little. Rinse it with running water for a few minutes to avoid infection.
4. Antibiotic Ointment: Put an antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Bacitracin) on the bite 3 times a day for 3 days.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Bite looks infected (spreading redness, red streaks, swelling, or tender to touch)
   • You get worse

1. Treating Bruises:
   • Cold Pack: For pain or swelling, use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the bite for 20 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day on the first day, then as needed.
   • Local Heat:
     • If pain lasts over 2 days, apply heat to the bite. Use a heat pack, heating pad, or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed.
     • For widespread stiffness, take a hot bath or hot shower instead. Move the bite under the warm water.
2. Pain Medicines:
   • You can take one of the drugs listed below if you have pain.
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
   • Regular Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (650 mg) every 4-6 hours. Each pill has 325 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Extra Strength Tylenol: Take 2 pills (1,000 mg) every 8 hours. Each pill has 500 mg of acetaminophen.
   • Do not take more than (3,000 mg) of this drug per day.
   Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil):
   • Motrin and Advil: Take 2 pills (400 mg) every 6 hours. Each pill has 200 mg of ibuprofen.
   • A second choice is to take 3 pills (600 mg) every 8 hours.
   Naproxen (Aleve):
   • Aleve: Take 1 pill (220 mg) every 8 hours. Each pill has 220 mg of naproxen.
   • A second choice is to take 2 pills (440 mg) every 12 hours.
   Extra Notes:
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
   • Your doctor might tell you to take more than what is shown above. That is because your doctor knows you and your health problems.
   • Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old. Acetaminophen is in many OTC and prescription drugs. It might be in more than one drug you are taking. Be careful how much you take. Too much of this drug can hurt the liver.
   • Caution- Acetaminophen: Do not take it if you have liver disease.
   • Caution- Ibuprofen and Naproxen:
     • Do not take ibuprofen or naproxen if you are pregnant.
     • Do not take these drugs if you have stomach problems or kidney disease.
     • Do not take these drugs for more than 7 days without checking with your doctor.
   • Read all package instructions.
3. What to Expect: Bruises should go away over 7-14 days.

1. All Bites From Animals That Might Have Rabies:
   • The Animal Control Center needs to know about any animal bite (or other animal contact) that might result in rabies.
   • If you go to the emergency department or to your doctor, they will call the Animal Control Center for you.
   • If you do not go to the doctor, you should call the Animal Control Center and tell them about the bite.
2. Wild Animals and Strays:
   • You can report the animal to your local Animal Control Center.