Land Animal Bite Treatment

• All bite wounds require immediate, thorough cleansing with plenty of fresh tap water. Gently scrub the wound with soap and water to remove foreign material. If a syringe is available, it should be used to provide high-pressure irrigation. Remove dead tissue from the wound with a sterile scissors or scalpel. After cleansing, a topical bacitracin ointment should be applied 3 times per day.
  
  
• Wounded extremities should be immobilized and elevated.
  
  
• Puncture wounds and bites are usually not sutured (stitched) unless they involve the face.
  
  
• Oral antibiotics are usually recommended to prevent infection. If infection develops, continue antibiotics for at least 5 days after all signs of infection have cleared. Check for drug allergy prior to starting any antibiotic. A doctor can recommend the right antibiotic. Some antibiotics can cause increased sensitivity to the sun, so a sunscreen should be used (at least SPF 15).
  
  
• Pain may be relieved with 1-2 tablets of acetaminophen 325-500 mg (Tylenol) pain relievers every 4 hours and/or 1-2 tablets of ibuprofen 200 mg (Motrin, Advil) every 6-8 hours.