Wilderness: Land Animal Bite

Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse Slideshow

• Land Animal Bite Overview
• Land Animal Bite Symptoms
• Land Animal Bite Treatment
• When to Seek Medical Care
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Land Animal Bite Overview

A person attacked by a land animal should attempt to identify the type of animal, the time of the injury, and the nature of the attack.

• Animal bites can occur on any dive or wilderness trip.
  
  
• Unprovoked animal bites are particularly dangerous. The possibility of a cat, dog, or wild animal having rabies is high, especially in less-developed countries.
  
  
• Bites from humans, dogs, and cats often lead to severe infections. Puncture wounds are very dangerous because they inject bacteria deep into the tissues.
  
  
• Bites to the hand, wrist, foot, or joint are very dangerous and require immediate medical attention.
  
  
• Infection is a major concern with bites because a local wound infection may develop in as little as 24 hours.