Animal bite treatment - Medtick
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Animal bite treatment

What is it?

If bitten, clean the wound wash with soap and water a or if possible wash the wound with salt water solution and left open to help to prevent infection.
If bleeding, a clean towel or gauze should be used and pressed on wound area to slow or stop bleeding.
Antibiotics should be considered if the bite has pierced the skin or one is showing signs of a skin infection  with fever and/or  shivering especially if with in 24 hours.

See a healthcare professional immediately:

  • Animal bite has broken through the skin and bleeding has not stopped after applying pressure greater than 15 minutes.
  • Intense fever, heat, swelling, redness, pus –like discharge within 24 hours of bite.
  • If a person has a weak immune system

Do not wait go to hospital or nearest medical clinic providing such services

Get a tetanus immunisation especially if it was greater than five years ago or if one can’t remember when it was done.
Human bites: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and a H.I.V test should be considered

If develop the following conditions:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

However all bites carry a high risk of infection.
  • Cat bites are more prone to infection than dog bites , as they have more needle-like teeth that can penetrate deeper in to the skin and allow bacteria to enter to deep parts of the tissue skin.

Cause

  • Bacteria:
    • Dog bites : Bacteriodes, Fusobacterium, , Prevotella, Staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pastruella
    • Cat bites: Pastruella
    • Humans: Eiknella

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for ambulance if have or develop:

If bitten, clean the wound wash with soap and water a or if possible wash the wound with salt water solution and left open to help to prevent infection.
If bleeding, a clean towel or gauze should be used and pressed on wound area to slow or stop bleeding.
Antibiotics should be considered if the bite has pierced the skin or one is showing signs of a skin infection  with fever and/or  shivering especially if with in 24 hours.

See a healthcare professional immediately:

  • Animal bite has broken through the skin and bleeding has not stopped after applying pressure greater than 15 minutes.
  • Intense fever, heat, swelling, redness, pus –like discharge within 24 hours of bite.
  • If a person has a weak immune system

Do not wait go to hospital or nearest medical clinic providing such services

Get a tetanus immunisation especially if it was greater than five years ago or if one can’t remember when it was done.
Human bites: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and a H.I.V test should be considered

If develop the following conditions:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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