Animal Bites
What are the treatments for the injury?
There are three things to consider when treating animal bites:
preventing infection
preventing rabies
stopping bleeding
If bleeding is not severe, the wound should be washed
with mild, soapy water for 3 to 5 minutes. It should then be covered with a
clean dressing. Bleeding may be controlled by applying direct pressure over
the wound with a clean, dry cloth. Elevation of the area also helps control
the bleeding.
If the wound does not need stitches, it should be observed for the
next 24 to 48 hours for signs of infection. If the wound becomes infected, a
healthcare professional should be consulted. The provider should also be
contacted if the person has not had a
tetanus shot in the past 5 years.
Emergency care should be sought immediately in these situations.
There are serious injuries.
The person is suffering from severe blood loss.
There are many bites.
A significant amount of flesh has been lost.
The person has been bitten by a strange animal.
The healthcare provider may consider the following treatment
options:
antibiotics to prevent or treat infection
debridement, or surgical removal of damaged or infected tissue
irrigation, a procedure that floods the bite area to wash out foreign
objects
pain medicines
sutures to close the
wound
X-rays to look for bone
fractures or foreign bodies left in the wound
Rabies is very rare but can be fatal. It is transmitted in the
saliva of rabid bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Pets that have not received
rabies shots can also carry the rabies virus. There are two ways to tell if an
animal has rabies. The first way is to capture the animal and observe it for
10 days. If the animal does not become sick in that time, it is not rabid.
The second way is to destroy the animal and examine its brain. There is no cure
for rabies once it has developed. The rabies vaccine can be effective when
given before symptoms develop.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
With any wound, there are always the risks of infection and bleeding. In some
cases, sutures are not
used because they may trap bacteria inside. All antibiotics can cause
allergic reactions,
gastrointestinal distress, or other side effects.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare
provider.
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