Animal Bites

Although any animal may bite, dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats account for most bites in the United States. Owing to their popularity as household pets, dogs account for the majority of bites as a result of protecting their owners and territory. About 10 to 20 people, mostly children, die from dog bites each year. Cats do not defend territory and bite mainly when humans restrain them for various reasons or attempt to intervene in a cat fight. Domestic animals, such as horses, cows, and pigs, bite infrequently, but their size and strength are such that serious wounds may result. Wild animal bites are rare.

Dog bites typically have a ragged, torn appearance. Cat bites involve deep puncture wounds that frequently become infected. Infected bites are painful, swollen, and red. Rabies (see Infections of the Brain and Spinal Cord: Rabies) may be transmitted from animals (most commonly bats) infected with that organism. Rabies is rare among pets in the United States because of vaccination.

Treatment

After receiving routine first-aid treatment (see First Aid: Wounds), victims of animal bites should see a doctor immediately. If possible, the offending animal should be penned up by its owner. If the animal is loose, the person who has been bitten should not try to capture it. The police should be notified so that the proper authorities can observe the animal for signs of rabies.

A doctor cleans an animal bite with sterile salt water (saline) or soap and water. Sometimes tissue is trimmed from the edge of the bite wound, particularly if the tissue is crushed or ragged. Facial bite wounds are surgically closed (sutured). However, minor wounds, puncture wounds, and bite wounds to the hands are not closed. Antibiotics are given by mouth to prevent infection. Infected bites sometimes require antibiotics given intravenously.