Doctor's Notes on Land Animal Bite
Land animal bites can occur on any wilderness trip, or even in a backyard with domesticated pets or wild animals. Anyone attacked by a land animal should attempt to identify the type of animal, note the time of the injury, and the nature of the attack, because the possibility of a dog, cat, or wild animal having rabies is high, particularly in less-developed countries.
Bites from land animals can frequently lead to severe infections that may develop in as little as 24 hours following the injury. Puncture wounds are especially dangerous because they inject bacteria deep into the tissues. Symptoms of local wound infection from a land animal bite may include
- warmth,
- pus,
- red streaks,
- a foul odor,
- lymph node swelling,
- pain with joint movement, and
- fever.
What Is the Treatment for Land Animal Bites?
Land animal bites can be very dangerous and are at high risk for serious infections. Anyone who gets bitten by a land animal should seek medical care. Treatment of land animal bites includes:
- Cleanse the wound thoroughly with soap and freshwater as quickly as possible
- Use direct pressure to stop bleeding, bandage the wound with clean gauze if available, and immobilize the extremity injured if possible
- Medical providers will further clean and access the wound
- Oral antibiotics are used for contaminated or high-risk wounds to prevent infection
- Some animal bites (feral dogs or cats, bats, other land mammals) may require rabies prophylaxis
- Tetanus vaccine booster may also be recommended
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) may be used to relieve pain
Trauma and First Aid : Training and Supplies Quiz
QuestionEmotional trauma is best described as a psychological response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening experience.
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Animal Bites
Many different types of animals can bite adults and children, ranging from dogs, cats, hamsters, raccoons, ferrets, and squirrels. Many times, bites are from the family pet. Fist aid for an animal bite consists of getting to a safe area away from the animal, apply pressure to any areas that are bleeding, and call 911. Animal bite treatments depends on the type of bite, and severity. -
Brown Recluse Spider Bites
The brown recluse spider is notable for its characteristic violin pattern on the back of the body part to which the legs attach. Symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite include: severe pain, severe itching, vomiting, nausea, fever, and muscle pain. A person who has been bitten by a brown recluse spider bite should seek medical treatment. -
Human Bites
Human bites can be either quite serious or relatively harmless. Human bites can be either intentional or accidental. If a human bite breaks the skin of the person bitten, medical care should be sought promptly. Signs of infections in a human bite include increasing pain and tenderness, new redness, increased swelling, fever, red streaks, pus drainage, and swollen glands. Treatment for human bites may include antibiotics or stitches. -
Insect Bites and Stings
Insect stings and bites are common. Common symptoms include: pain, swelling, redness, and itching. Treatment of insect stings and bites depends on the type of insect. Some may require home remedies such as anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and in some cases, surgery. -
Rabies
Rabies is a disease humans may get from being bitten by an animal infected with the rabies virus. Symptoms and signs include fever, chills, pain, itching, muscle spasms, seizures, and coma. Treatment depends upon the species of animal, its behavior, and where you were exposed to the animal.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.