An animal bite can be a very serious concern. It’s important to know what to do if you are bitten by an animal and when to seek medical attention.
What Animal is the Most Concerning?
Sometimes your dog might accidentally nibble your hand thinking it’s a toy, or your child’s hamster bites your finger thinking it’s food. These situations are not urgent unless the area is showing signs of infection. The animals you should be concerned with are:
- Animals with the potential of being venomous or poisonous, like snakes and spiders.
- Animals with the potential of being rabid, including stray dogs, cats and rodents.
- A neighbor’s pet, if you are unsure of whether or not that pet has been fully vaccinated.
Signs of Infection
There is always a risk of infection if you have a puncture, scrape, cut or open wound on your flesh. Keep an eye out for:
- Redness around the wound
- Warmth around the wound
- Red streaks leading away from bite
- Fever
- Swelling
- Pain
- Pus
When to Seek Medical Attention
You should seek immediate medical attention if:
- You have been bitten by an animal and its teeth broke through the skin.
- You are unsure whether or not the animal is venomous, poisonous or rabid.
- You are showing signs of infection.
Important Information About Snake Bites
There is a myth that if you get bitten by a snake, you can cut the wound to release the venom or you can suck the venom out of the wound. Do not do this. You should also not apply a tourniquet or ice to the wound, even if there is swelling, because the snake venom will coagulate faster in the bloodstream. You can find more information about snake bites here.
Medical care following an animal bite is vital to reduce the risk of getting an infection, clean wounds of foreign bodies and immunize for tetanus. If you or your child has been bitten by an animal, M.D. Express Urgent Care is here to make sure you get the proper care and treatment that is needed to heal.
