Mordeduras de animais

Prompt Treatment for Animal Bites

Animal bites occur most often when an animal feel threatened. This is true at home or in the wild. Many animals make great pets, but even a beloved pet can lash out in defense or fear leading to minor injuries to serious medical concerns. Whether you’ve received a scratch from Fluffy or Fido or a more exotic animal, our urgent care and emergency providers are trained to evaluate and treat animal bites quickly and safely, helping prevent infection and complications.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Anyone can be bitten by a domesticated or feral animal. A bite can occur on a hiking or camping trip from a wild animal trying to protect itself, or it may happen accidentally in the backyard while you’re playing with your dog. You should seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following: 

• A bite or scratch that breaks the skin
• Swelling, redness, or pain around the wound
• Pus or drainage from the bite site
• Fever or chills after the injury
• A bite from a wild animal or unknown pet
• A bite on the face, hands, or genitals
• A deep puncture wound
• If you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years

It is always a good idea to seek medical advice when bitten by any type of animal, due to the diseases they may be carrying.

*Please note that Southcoast Health Urgent Care does not offer rabies shots.

Risk Factors of Animal Bites

The main risk factor for being bitten by an animal is putting yourself in an unsafe situation. Avoid wild animals, and take caution around those you are not familiar with. Keep watch over younger children outdoors and when they are spending time with your pets.

Treating Minor Animal Bites at Home

If an animal you know bites you, basic first aid is often enough. Follow the steps below immediately after being bitten:

• Wash the affected area with soap and water
• Put pressure on it to stop the bleeding, if applicable
• Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and protect the area with a sterile bandage
• If necessary, use over-the-counter pain relievers

How Are Animal Bites Diagnosed and Treated?

When you see a doctor for an animal bite, they will assess your risk of infection, look for any other injuries, and try to minimize scarring. Examinations for an animal bite may include:

• Inspection. Wounds are examined for debris. The doctor may use a numbing agent before conducting the exam.
• X-Rays. Your doctor may order X-rays if they feel there is a danger of bone fractures. An X-ray also reveals hidden debris in the wound. Foreign materials like grass and dirt can be easily missed by the naked eye.
• Irrigation. Your doctor is likely to irrigate the wound to ensure it’s properly cleaned. This reduces the risk of infection. A local anesthetic, if needed, helps minimize the pain.
• Debridement. Animal bites may result in skin tears that cannot be stitched up. In this case, debridement may be performed to get rid of infected or dead skin and tissue.
• Closure. Certain types of animal bites may be stitched or sutured.
• Wound Care. Your doctor could use a variety of treatment options for wound care—it all depends on the circumstances of your injury. Sutured wounds must be kept clean and dry. Wounds that aren’t stitched could require soaking and other treatments.

Antibiotics are sometimes needed to keep infection at bay following animal bites. They are also often prescribed to older adults or those with chronic conditions like diabetes. The following situations usually need antibiotics:

• Cat bites
• Debrided wounds
• Contaminated wounds

The pain from most bite wounds can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your bite is severe, your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication for short-term pain relief.