Bites, dog, cat and human
Injuries caused by the teeth of animals or humans.
What is it? (Overview)
Getting bitten by a dog, cat, or even another person is never pleasant. But
the real threat in most cases is not broken bones or deep wounds, but the
bacterial infection that can result. And while dogs generally bite the
hardest, it's the bite you can get from a cat or a person that carries the
greatest risk of infection.
How do I know I have it? (Symptoms and Diagnosis
Just because you've been bitten doesn't mean that you will get an
infection. But you should never just sit around and wait. There is also the
possibility of rabies, if you are bitten by an animal that carries this
disease. Laboratory tests may be ordered for bites to ascertain if there is
a risk of infection, but infection is most often diagnosed through
observation.
What should I do? (Emergency Treatment)
To stop the bleeding, wrap a clean cloth over the wound and apply pressure.
Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the bite with soap and water, and then
cover it with a clean bandage or gauze (fig. 1).
Call for professional advice about further treatment. Your health-care provider will also
look at the bite and clean it. Depending on the circumstances, you may be given a tetanus
shot or a series of shots to protect against rabies.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you've been bitten by a cat, dog or another human.
In the case of a serious wound, where there is significant tissue damage, you may be advised
to consult a surgeon. After the bite has been treated initially, be sure to keep an eye on
the bite for the next 24 to 48 hours for signs of infection, which include redness, pus,
swelling, fever, and skin that feels hot.
How dangerous is it? (Outlook)
Every year between 10 and 20 people die from dog attacks in the United
States. Often the victims are young children. Other complications from
bites include infection, loss of a limb, or scarring. In most cases,
however, bite victims recover completely.
How can I prevent it? (Prevention)
Stop bites before they happen by learning proper behavior around animals.
- Watch for children's biting behavior when they are playing. Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.
- Learn appropriate ways to handle dogs and teach your children these rules.
- Do not touch a dog while it is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
- Allow an unfamiliar animal to sniff you before you try to pet it.
- Never run from a strange dog and scream. Dogs often bite when scared. Don't play aggressive games with your dog.
- Spend time with a dog and really get to know it before buying or adopting it.
- If your dog develops aggressive behavior, talk to your veterinarian immediately.
- Spay or neuter your dog to reduce aggressiveness.
- If you've been knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still.
- Avoid making direct eye contact with a dog.
For Children
Teach your child appropriate behavior around animals. If you're thinking
about getting a dog, but your child is afraid or shows apprehension around
them, you may want to wait until your child is older or has had time to
become more comfortable with them.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Sources
- Auerbach, Paul. Medicine for the Outdoors. New York: The Lyons Press, 1999.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed on December 30, 1999.
- Emedicine Web site. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com. Accessed on December 30, 1999.