$Unique_ID{PAR00015}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Animal Bites}
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$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Animal Bites Bite mark Claw marks Bruises Animals}
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Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Animal Bites


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Bite marks
     - Claw marks
     - Bruises

     IMPORTANT
     - Animal bites that break the skin may cause infection, tetanus, or
       rabies.  Report all animal bites or claw wounds to your doctor
       immediately.

     HOME CARE
     - Scrub wound with soap and water for five to ten minutes and flush with
       water.
     - Apply antiseptic to minor wounds.
     - Report the wound to your doctor immediately.
     - Call police or health authorities to deal with the animal.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - If redness spreads out from the wound or if the wound becomes tender,
       call your doctor.
     - Make sure your child's tetanus immunization status is current.
     - Teach your child to be careful around domestic pets and to stay away
       from wild animals.
     - Be sure your own pets have been vaccinated against rabies.


     Animal bites that break the skin may result in serious complications.
Animal bites often become infected by bacteria from the animal's mouth and may
cause tetanus (lockjaw) and rabies.
     Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a type of bacterium that lives in
soil, dust, and the intestines and intestinal wastes of animals and humans.
The bacterium can easily enter the body through puncture wounds or scratches
caused by animal bites and claw wounds.  A vaccine to prevent tetanus is
available.
     Rabies is a fatal disease of the central nervous system that may affect
any mammal.  It is caused by a virus that can be identified in the brain of an
affected animal.  Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of the sick animal.
It is most commonly found in the United States among skunks, foxes, cattle,
dogs, bats, cats, and raccoons.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Even in younger children, an animal bite is usually obvious from its
appearance.  It is sometimes difficult to tell a bite from a claw wound;
however, claw wounds should be treated in the same way as bites because a claw
wound can also contain bacteria from the animal's saliva.  If the bite has
caused a bruise but there is no break in the skin, you do not need to worry
about rabies or tetanus.

HOME CARE

     Scrub the wound with soap and water for five to ten minutes and flush
with water.  Apply antiseptic to minor wounds.  Consult your doctor
immediately for advice concerning rabies, tetanus, and repair of the wound.
Your doctor will need to know when your child was most recently vaccinated
against tetanus.
     The likelihood that an animal bite will become infected is very high.  If
redness begins spreading out from the wound or if the wound becomes more
tender, call your doctor.
     If at all possible, the animal that bit the child should be inspected for
rabies.  Because catching an animal can be extremely dangerous, call the local
police or health authorities and allow them to deal with the animal.  If the
animal is a pet, find out if it has been vaccinated against rabies.  In some
states, all animal bites must be reported to the police.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Make sure that your child's tetanus immunization status is up to date.
  -  Always contact your doctor about treatment in the case of animal bites.
  -  Be sure that your own pets (dogs and cats) receive regular rabies shots.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Because of the high possibility of infection, your doctor may decide not
to stitch the wound.  However, if the wound is located where scarring is not
desirable (such as on the face), the doctor may choose to stitch the wound.
Treatment begins with removal of injured tissue and thorough cleansing.
Antibiotics taken by mouth may be prescribed.  If necessary, your doctor may
give the child a tetanus booster or antitoxin (a substance that counteracts
the poisonous effects of the tetanus bacterium).
     The decision to give antirabies vaccine, with or without antiserum, is
difficult to make.  There is a possibility of serious reactions.  However,
with new antirabies vaccines now being tested, the likelihood of serious
reactions may be lessened.  Your doctor will arrange for examination of the
animal for rabies.  If the animal is not caught, the decision depends on the
likelihood of rabies in your area, the circumstances of the bite (provoked or
unprovoked), and the species of the animal.  Local and state health
departments can provide information to help you make this decision.

RELATED TOPICS:  Bruises; Cat scratch fever; Cuts; Puncture wounds; Scrapes;
Tetanus