What to Do if Bitten by a Dog or Cat

Treatment of Cat and Dog Bite Injuries, Domestic or Wild

Apr 17, 2009
Amy Andersen

cat scratch can cause infection - author

The type of wound and whether the animal is known, wild, or a stray affects what care is needed and when the help is sought, whether immediately or days later.

Animal bite wounds vary from a puncture to lacerations and crushing fractures and avulsions. Care can be sought from minutes after the event to days later depending on the type and extent of injury. The type and extent of injury can vary greatly

Dog Bites

The majority of domestic animal bites are from dogs. The jaws of a medium or large dog have bone-crushing potential. There is a 15-20% chance of infection from broken skin resulting from a dog bite. Aside from streptococcus or staphylococcus infections dogs may also incur pasteurella multocida, capnocytophaga canimorses (rare but especially dangerous), klebsiella and enterobacteria.

MRSA becomes a concern only if the in the past the dog has gotten the infection from the human he associates with. In that way only, the dog can be a carrier.

Cat Bites

On the one hand cat bites have a slightly higher rate of infection but on the other hand, cats are less likely to bite and inflict a wound. There is a 50% chance of infection developing from cat bite. A papule forms at the site of the wound and a syndrome develops known as cat scratch fever. Aside from the strept or staph infections similar to dogs, cats may transmit pasteurella multicida, clostridium, and wolinella bacteria.

Signs of Infection

Nonfacial bites are more likely to cause infection. The wound should immediately be washed with either sterile water or saline.

Signs of infection include:

Erythema (redness) surrounding the entry site
Burning,throbbing around the wound and localized warmth
Pus like drainage
A bad odor emanating from the site (malodorous)
Fever
Swelling, a result of trauma, and may not not always indicate infection

Antibiotics will be prescribed dependent on the type of infection assessed.

Getting Wound Treatment

Immediately flush the wound with sterile saline if possible or clean water. People with impaired immunity or limited ability should always seek treatment regardless whether the animal is known to them or a wild animal.

These conditions might include those who have

Diabetes
Leukemia
Organ transplant recipients
Absence of spleen
Chemotherapy treatment
Steroid therapy
HIV or AIDS or
Those over 50 years of age

The owner bitten by his or her own animal knows the vaccination history so rabies shouldn’t be a concern. If the animal isn’t vaccinated but is healthy it must be quarantined for 10 days to evaluate for rabies. Bites by unknown, unavailable, cats or dogs usually result in a series of painful rabies shots.

Likewise if the human’s tetanus is up to date, that wont be needed unless 5 years from the last shot have passed.

Avoid Dog and Cat Bites

Dogs and cats usually don’t attack unless provoked by intention or by accident. Bites are not unique to any one breed.

Don't approach an animal while it eats
Don't reach out suddenly to unknown animals.
Avoid rough play without protective clothing
Don't make direct eye contact with a dog.
Do not invade the space of a female nursing her young.

Amy Andersen - Amy Andersen, MSN, ARNP, family & pediatrics certified, practices yoga and explores the inter-relationships of mind body fitness and ...