What to Do If You’ve Been Bitten By an Animal

Getting bitten by any animal is always shocking, but there are different treatments depending on the type of animal. One constant is to wash the wound thoroughly. Other than this, here are some other things to do in event of an animal bite: 

If the wound is deep or if it’s on the patient’s face, the doctor may suture it. 

Dog Bites 
Even before washing the wound, it should be gently compressed to help the blood wash away any pathogens. Then, use soap and water to wash the wound and compress the wound again using a clean cloth. Treat the bite with a topical antibiotic then cover it with a bandage before visiting the doctor. The doctor will examine the bite, probably wash it out again and apply more topical antibiotic. They may also prescribe an oral antibiotic to stave off infection. If the person hasn’t had a tetanus shot in a while, the doctor will give them one. 

Wild Animal Bites 
A person who is bitten by a wild mammal should have the bite seen by a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will examine the bite and wash it out to remove not only bacteria but any other type of debris. They may order an X-ray to make sure that all debris has been washed out of the bite and that bones have not been broken. If the patient is in pain from the bite, the doctor will give them a local anesthetic. 

If the animal is dead, the corpse should be taken to the hospital for identification and to make sure that the animal wasn’t rabid. As with a dog, the doctor will give the patient a tetanus shot if their vaccination isn’t up to date. 

Later on, if the wound isn’t healing the way it should, the doctor may perform a debridement. This procedure cuts away skin that has become infected or necrotic. The patient will need an anesthetic for a debridement. 

Snakebite 
Not all snakes who bite are poisonous, and even if they’re poisonous, not all snakes inject a deadly amount of venom every time they bite. Still, a person who’s been bitten by a snake and is not absolutely sure the snake is not poisonous needs medical care quickly. 

The patient needs to be kept calm and warm. The wound needs to be cleaned and any jewelry near the bite should be removed. The site of the bite is best kept elevated, and light constricting bands should be placed about 2 inches above and 2 inches below the wound. A band must not be placed on the wound itself, and they should not be placed on either side of a joint such as the knee. If a snake has bitten the person’s finger, a band can be placed on the wrist. It band should be snug but not so tight that it cuts off circulation. 

Cold packs should not be placed on a snake bite unless the doctor gives permission to do so, and the bite should not be cut into or suctioned. If suctioning occurs, it should never be done by mouth. The patient who’s been bitten by a poisonous snake should be taken to the hospital and treated with antivenin. 

How to Take Care of the Wound 
A person who’s had their wound sutured and bandaged should take care to change the bandages frequently and keep the area clean and dry. Wounds that have been allowed to heal on their own can be soaked every day then patted dry. Most animal bites heal completely and quickly.