The most common animal bites in the United States are from dogs, cats, and other humans
in that order. Less common but often more dangerous are bites from skunks, raccoons, bats
and other animals that live in the wild. The health problems from a bite depend on the
animal/insect and how severe the bite is. Problems include:
Rabies - a serious and often fatal viral
infection of the central nervous system. The virus is transmitted to humans through the
saliva of the infected animal. Only warm-blooded animals can carry rabies.
Poison - from these snakes: rattlesnake,
copperhead, coral, and water moccasin; from spiders - the worst ones are black widows and
the brown recluse. The "poison" from tarantulas is due to an allergic reaction
to the tarantula's hairs.
Bleeding
Infection
Tissue loss if the wound is disfiguring
Lyme Disease - a bacterial infection spread
by deer tick bites
Lockjaw - painful, persistent stiffness of
the jaw due to a toxin which can be prevented with up-to-date tetanus immunizations. (See Immunization Schedule.)
Allergic reaction, such as with insect
bites
In the United States, particularly in the northeastern states, skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes are the main carriers of rabies.
Most house pets are vaccinated for rabies and are unlikely to carry the virus.
Abandoned kittens and puppies may be at risk if not vaccinated. Rabid animals can
show these signs:
Strange behavior such as activity by day
for animals that are normally active by night
Agitation and/or lack of fear of humans
Foaming at the mouth
Rabies shots can prevent transmission to humans if the series of shots is begun soon after a bite from an infected animal.
Antivenom is available for poisonous snake bites at emergency medical facilities. It should be given within four hours of the bite.
Prevention
Here are some ways to prevent animal bites:
Never leave a small child
alone with a dog or cat, even if it's a puppy or kitten. Teething and/or excited pets have
been known to bite.
Teach children not to tease animals. Tell
them not to wave sticks, throw stones, or pull an animal's tail.
Do not move suddenly or scream around an
animal. Don't rush up to a dog until you know for sure that it is friendly. Sudden
movements and loud noises can scare animals and cause them to attack.
Be very cautious when separating fighting
animals.
Leave pet dogs and cats alone while they
are eating or sleeping.
Do not feed wild animals with your hands.
Be careful when you handle your sick or
injured pet.
Do not pick up a sick or injured animal
that you don't know.
Do not run from a strange dog.
Do not keep wild animals as pets.
Wear heavy boots when walking in areas
where snakes live.
To Prevent Lyme Disease:
Wear long pants, tucked
into socks, and long-sleeve shirts when walking through fields or forests, and when
camping. Wear light-colored, tightly-woven clothing.
Inspect for ticks after these activities.
Use an insect repellent that is approved
for deer ticks.
| Is the skin severely mangled by the animal bite, or has the face
been bitten? {Note: See First Aid for Major Bleeding under "Cuts, Scrapes, & Punctures".}  |
 |
Does the person show signs of shock? These include: Pale or bluish lips, skin, or
fingernails Cool, moist skin Rapid or slow heartbeat and/or breathingWeakness, trembling Restlessness, anxiety, confusion Enlarged pupils Vomiting Unconsciousness{Note: See First Aid for Shock Until Emergency Care Arrives under "Shock".} |
|
| Has the victim been bitten by a snake known to be poisonous or are
you unsure whether or not the snake is poisonous? {Note: See First Aid for Shock Until Emergency Care Arrives under "Shock".} |
|
| Has the victim been bitten by a spider known to be poisonous or do
any of these symptoms result from the bite? Painful cramps and muscle stiffness
in the abdomen or shoulders, chest and back Nausea, vomiting Restlessness, dizziness, problems with
breathing, convulsions Fever, chills, heavy sweating {Note: See First Aid for Poisonous Spider Bites Until Emergency Care Arrives below.} |
|
| Has the skin been punctured or has the bite caused a lot of
bleeding? {Note: See Cuts, Scrapes & Punctures.} |
 |
| Was the bite over a joint and does it cause painful movement? |
|
| Is the animal wild or a pet that has not been immunized against
rabies? |
|
| Are there any signs of infection 24 hours or more after the animal
bite? These include: Fever Redness Severe swelling Pus |
|
First Aid for Poisonous Snake Bites Until
Emergency Care Arrives
Carefully move the victim (or yourself) away from the snake. Carry the victim if
necessary.
Calm the victim and have the
victim rest as much as possible. Moving about can help the venom spread.
Gently wash the bite area with
soap and water.
Keep the limb of the bite site
level with or just below the level of the heart.
Apply a splint to the limb of
the bite site to keep it from moving.
Observe the snake carefully,
if you can. Be able to describe the shape of its eyes and pupils, head shape, color
scheme, and the presence of rattles.
Don't try to kill the snake.
You could get bitten.
Don't apply cold or ice to the
bite
Don't cut the fang mark
Don't try to suck out the
venom
Don't apply a tourniquet or a
bandage
First Aid for
Poisonous Spider Bite Until Emergency Care Arrives
Perform rescue
breathing, if needed. (See Airway and Breathing under "CPR".)
If you can, keep the bitten area lower than the level of the heart.
Calm the victim and keep him or her warm.
Gently clean the site of the bite with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Put an ice pack over the bite site for pain relief.
If you can, catch the spider in a closed container for identification.
For Dog and Cat Bites:
Wash the bite area right away with soap and warm water for 5 minutes. This helps
to remove any saliva and other debris. If the bite is deep, flush the wound with water for
10 minutes. This helps to protect against infection. Dry the wound with a clean towel.
If the wound is swollen, apply
ice wrapped in a towel for 10 minutes.
Have the victim get a tetanus
shot if his or her tetanus immunizations are not up-to-date. (See Immunization
Schedule.)
If the bite hurts, take an
over-the-counter medicine for pain. {Note: See Pain relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
Observe the wound for a few
days, checking it for infection.
Report the incident to the
animal control department.
If you know the pet's owner,
find out the date of the pet's last rabies vaccination. If its immunizations are not
current, arrange with the animal control department for the pet to be observed for the
next 10 days to be sure it does not develop rabies.
For Non-Poisonous Snake Bites:
Gently wash the site with soap and water.
Treat the bite as a minor
wound. (See Cuts, Scrapes & Punctures.)
Consult a health care provider
if you notice signs of infection.
For Deer Tick Bites:
Remove any ticks found on
the skin. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull gently and
carefully in a steady upward motion at the point where the tick's mouthpart enters the
skin. Try not to crush the tick because the secretions released may spread disease.
Wash the wound area and your hands with
soap and water after removing ticks.
Save the tick. Put it in a closed jar with
rubbing alcohol. Being able to show the tick could help in diagnosing Lyme Disease.
For Human Bites Without Heavy Bleeding:
Wash the wound area with
soap and water for at least 5 minutes but don't scrub hard.
Rinse with
running water or with an antiseptic solution such as Betadine.
Cover
the wound area with sterile gauze. Tape only the ends of the gauze in place.
{Note: Contact your doctor if you notice signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, and/or fever. Find out, too, if a tetanus shot is needed.}
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/21/99