Animal or human bites usually need to be seen because all of them are contaminated with saliva
and prone to wound infection.
Types of Animal 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.
Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)
Major bleeding that can't be stopped
First Aid Advice: Apply direct pressure to the entire wound with a clean cloth.
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)
First Aid Advice: wash all the following wounds with warm water and soap before bringing your child in:
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: superficial scratches that don’t go through the skin or
tiny puncture wound)
Puncture wound (holes through skin) from cat (teeth or claws)
Bite looks infected (redness or red streaks)
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If
You think your child needs to be seen
Last tetanus shot > 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
PET ANIMAL BITE: Tiny puncture wound or superficial scratches
(EXCEPTION: cat puncture wound)
HUMAN BITE that didn’t break the skin
Home Care Advice for All Animal Bites
Bleeding: For any bleeding, apply continuous pressure for 5 minutes.
Cleansing: Wash all wounds immediately with soap and water for 5 minutes. Also flush vigorously under a
faucet 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).
Antibiotic ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment
to the bite 3 times a day for three days.
