Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Examining a Fresh Wound
• Part 2 of 3: Assessing Additional Risks
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing Pet Bites
• Tips
• Warnings

Pets can bite too, for example, if they are under stress, in an unfamiliar place or surrounded by strangers, or if mistreated. In most cases, pet bites are minor injuries that can be healed on their own, but sometimes the victim needs urgent medical attention. Even if the bite does not seem dangerous to you, it is best to see a doctor anyway. Signs that the bite is a serious health threat include the potential for venom in the wound, extensive blood loss, and signs of infection or symptoms of tetanus and rabies. If you are concerned that the bite could have serious consequences, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Examining a Fresh Wound

1. 1 Determine the severity of the damage. Examine the site of the bite to see how serious the victim's condition is. Look for signs such as extensive bruising, skin punctures, bleeding, or foreign objects in the wound. The more bruising and bleeding, the more severe the bite.
   • A bite that looks like a slight scratch or redness will likely heal on its own. It is enough to wash it with warm water and soap and monitor the healing process. You probably won't have to go to a doctor.
   • Special attention should be paid to the bite if there is a large bruise at the site of the injury, a puncture of the skin that bleeds, or multiple lacerations. If a foreign object sticks out of the skin - for example, an animal's tooth - this is also a warning sign.
2. 2 Find out who the victim was bitten by. Try to find out as soon as possible which animal has bitten the victim. Poisonous snakes, amphibians and spiders kept in captivity sometimes have venom glands removed, but not always. Dogs with strong jaws, such as Pit Bulls or Rottweilers, can cause particularly serious injury.
   • If you are bitten by someone else's pet, try to get accurate information about the animal from its owner, including the specific species, breed, and the like.
   • If you are not sure if a given exotic animal is poisonous, look online or call your veterinarian.
3. 3 Pay attention to the amount of blood loss. Many animal bites bleed slightly, but uncontrolled bleeding can quickly lead to serious consequences. Pay attention to how exactly the blood comes from the wound: slowly and in small portions or in a gushing stream and powerful points.
   • Regardless of how much blood the victim has lost, try to reduce the bleeding by lifting the bite site and applying a pressure bandage. Use a bandage or clean towel to stop the bleeding.
   • If you notice that the victim has lost a lot of blood, it is important to act quickly and seek immediate medical attention. After the blood has been stopped, you must immediately seek medical help. If you cannot stop the bleeding, call an ambulance. Losing as little as 15 percent of your blood can result in serious health damage.
4. 4 Rate the intensity of the pain. A superficial animal bite usually causes a slight discomfort. Severe pain may indicate a serious injury, such as an internal hemorrhage or bone fracture. Try to find out from the victim how much pain is felt in the tissues at the site of the bite.
   • You can check the level of pain by applying light pressure to the affected area. If the victim reacts sharply to normal touch, this could be a sign of serious subcutaneous injury.
5. 5 Check the victim for other injuries. If during the attack, the animal knocked the victim to the ground or pressed against the wall, inspect him for other damage. These can be extensive bruises, concussions, abrasions, or other injuries. Even if the bite itself is small, the accompanying injuries can be serious.
   • Concomitant injuries are common when a large animal, such as a large dog, attacks a child or a disabled person.
   • Signs of concomitant injuries may include pain or swelling at the impact site, abrasions or bleeding, and extensive hematoma.
6. 6 Seek medical attention immediately. If you notice the victim has signs of physical injury, seek medical attention at the emergency room or call an ambulance without further delay. Tell the doctor everything you know about the bite: which animal inflicted it and when, what damage you noticed, what the victim complained about. You should immediately consult a doctor if:
   • the bite was received as a result of a serious attack;
   • there is severe bleeding;
   • there is damage to the face, eyes, or scalp;
   • the bite was inflicted by a stray animal or a pet that has not been vaccinated against rabies.

Part 2 of 3: Assessing Additional Risks

1. 1 Find out what vaccinations have been given to the animal. If the bite was not caused by your animal, ask its owner when and what vaccinations it received.Ask to show you the veterinary passport of the animal, where vaccinations against rabies and other diseases for the last year are marked.
   • The Law of the Russian Federation "On Veterinary Medicine" stipulates the obligation of owners of domestic dogs and cats to vaccinate them against rabies annually. There is a fine for evading rabies vaccination. Vaccination of pets against other diseases is voluntary.
   • If your pet was bitten, check the timing of the last vaccination in its veterinary passport.
   • If the animal is not vaccinated against rabies or the vaccination period has expired, rinse the wound with warm water and immediately seek medical help at the emergency room or hospital emergency department, where you can receive emergency care.
2. 2 Watch for signs of infection. Some bites, especially cat bites, are often infected. Monitor the wound closely. Signs of infection include swelling and redness around the bite site and discomfort when moving.
   • If the animal that gave the bite, or the conditions under which it happened, makes you think the wound might be infected, see your doctor right away. Let him know if the wound may have gotten infected. Find out what recommendations are in this regard.
   • To reduce the chance of infection, wash the wound as quickly as possible with mild soap and water, apply a germicidal ointment, and apply a clean bandage.
3. 3 Watch out for tetanus symptoms. Tetanus pathogens can enter the wound resulting from an animal bite. If the victim has not been vaccinated against tetanus in the past 5 years, he needs immediate medical attention.
   • Tetanus vaccine recipients are advised to contact their primary care physician to check the expiration date of the most recent vaccination and to see if additional protective measures are required.
   • Symptoms of tetanus may appear as early as four days and include spasms of the chewing muscles, involuntary muscle tension, swallowing problems, seizures, fever, and increased heart rate.
4. 4 Consult your doctor. If you are concerned about injuries sustained by an attack by an animal, even if there are no obvious symptoms of injury or infection, seek medical advice. Make an appointment for the next date. Tell your doctor that the reason for your treatment is an animal bite.
   • Tell your doctor about any pain or sensation. They can be signs of internal damage.
   • Tell your doctor about which animal bit you and when, and whether the animal has been vaccinated.
   • Ask your doctor for advice on how to treat your injuries. Follow your doctor's orders and take prescribed medications as instructed.
5. 5 In some cases, seeking emergency medical attention is mandatory. There are bites that require immediate medical attention, regardless of the circumstances or symptoms. This includes:
   • cat bites;
   • dog bites on the arm or leg;
   • deep or extensive bites or wounds requiring sutures;
   • fractures or internal injuries;
   • a bite inflicted on a child in the head area;
   • signs of infection: redness, suppuration, swelling, and pain;
   • the victim has a medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, liver or lung disease, HIV, or other medical conditions that weaken the immune system.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing Pet Bites

1. 1 Wean your pet from biting. If your dog or cat bites, sign up for training courses or bring an animal behaviorist to your home. Sometimes groups for correcting aggressive animal behavior work at canine centers or at dog grounds.
   • If your pet is one of those who are difficult to train - for example, it is a snake, frog or rodent - create the right conditions for him and equip the terrarium, aviary or cage with a lock that the animal cannot open.
   • If handling an animal requires special protective equipment, such as gloves, remember to wear them.
2. 2 The bite is always preceded by characteristic signs of aggression. Different animals warn differently that they are about to attack. Find out what behavior is typical for dogs, cats, or other animals that are about to bite.
   • The dog shows aggression and can bite when it: growls, barks, bares its teeth, presses its ears, aggressively hits itself with its tail on the sides, yawns nervously.
   • The cat is going to bite or scratch you if it strains its muscles and twitches its tail. Cats often bite, such as when stroking their belly.
3. 3 Stay away from unfamiliar animals. If you are not sure if the animal is friendly, it is best to exercise caution. Keep your distance from the animal until its owner, who knows his pet best, allows you to approach.
   • If this is your first time seeing an animal and want to get to know him, ask his owner if you can come closer or pet the animal.
   • Follow the advice of the pet owner. Let him tell you exactly how to interact with his pet the first time.

Tips

• If someone else's dog has aggressive behavior, you can contact the district commissioner with a complaint about a violation of the rules for keeping and walking dogs. Rospotrebnadzor also accepts complaints about the improper maintenance of dogs.
• If your dog is dangerous, aggressive, or stressed, try to limit his contact with other people and animals until his behavior improves.

Warnings

• Even a small bite can have serious consequences if the necessary measures are not taken. If you have any questions or concerns about an animal bite, seek immediate medical attention.