Animal bites

Alternative names:

bites - animals

Definition:

An injury that results when flesh is caught between the teeth of the upper and lower jaw of an animal.

Considerations:

Puncture wounds, which are common with animal and human bites, present a high risk of infection.

Rabies is a rare but potentially fatal disease transmitted by the saliva of a rabid animal (such as a bat, skunk, raccoon, or fox). There are only 2 ways to tell whether or not an animal is rabid: by capturing the animal and placing it under observation for 10 days, or by killing it and having its brain examined for signs of the disease. Don't go near an animal that may be rabid. Notify the proper authorities.

There is no cure for rabies once symptoms develop, but if vaccinated promptly after being exposed to the disease, the victim can develop immunity before symptoms develop.

Causes:

Pets are the most common cause of bites, with dog bites occurring most often. Cat bites are considered more serious due to the higher incidence of infection. Stray animals and wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, and bats also inflict thousands of bites each year. Any animal that bites a human should be impounded and checked for rabies.

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial