Animal bites—whether from dogs, cats, bats, or other mammals—can cause physical injury, infection, and, in some cases, life-threatening diseases such as rabies. This guide provides practical advice on immediate first aid, medical care, prevention, and reporting.

Immediate Do’s (0–15 minutes after a bite)

• Stay calm and move to a safe area away from the animal.
• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes to reduce infection risk.
• Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or sterile dressing if bleeding occurs.
• Remove any jewelry or tight clothing near the wound (swelling may occur).
• Note or identify the animal if possible (owner details, description, appearance, or abnormal behavior).

Immediate Don’ts

• Do not delay washing the wound—early cleansing is critical.
• Do not try to suck out the wound, cut it open, or apply home remedies (turmeric, chili, toothpaste, etc.).
• Do not harm or kill the animal yourself; report it to animal control or local authorities.

Wound Care and Medical Attention

Seek medical evaluation for bites that:

• Break the skin
• Are deep or heavily bleeding
• Are on the face, hands, or genitals

Medical professionals may:

• Clean and examine the wound thoroughly, removing debris and dead tissue
• Decide whether stitches are needed (some bites are left open to reduce infection risk)
• Administer a tetanus booster if indicated
• Prescribe antibiotics for high-risk bites (cat bites, some dog bites)
• Assess rabies exposure and initiate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if needed

Rabies: Key Points

Rabies is preventable but almost always fatal once symptoms start. Immediate action is essential if the animal may be rabid (stray, wild, sick-looking, or a bat).

PEP includes:

• Thorough wound washing
• Rabies vaccination
• Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) when indicated

Exposure Categories (simplified):

Always follow your local health authority’s vaccine schedule and consult your healthcare provider.

Tetanus and Infection Prevention

• Tetanus: Check vaccination history; booster may be needed if last dose was >5–10 years ago.
• Antibiotics: Recommended for cat bites, human bites, deep puncture wounds, or contaminated wounds.

Seek Emergency Care Immediately If:

• Bleeding is uncontrollable
• Bite is on face, neck, hands, joints, or genitals
• Signs of severe infection (rapidly spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever, swollen lymph nodes)
• Loss of function or tissue damage
• Bites from wild animals or bats, or the animal cannot be located

Prevention, Reporting, and Legal Steps

• Keep pets vaccinated (rabies and regular veterinary care).
• Avoid approaching stray or wild animals; teach children the same.
• Report bites to local health or animal-control authorities.
• If safe, observe the animal or inform its owner for public-health monitoring.

Common Myths and Clarifications

• Myth: Small or superficial bites don’t need medical attention.
  Clarification: Any bite that breaks the skin should be evaluated.
• Myth: Home remedies prevent infection.
  Clarification: They can cause harm and delay proper care.
• Myth: Only dogs transmit rabies.
  Clarification: Many mammals—bats, cats, raccoons, foxes—can carry rabies.

Patient Checklist After a Bite

1. Wash the wound immediately for 15 minutes.
2. Apply a clean dressing and control bleeding.
3. Seek urgent medical attention for deep or high-risk wounds.
4. Inform your clinician about the animal type, vaccination status (if known), and bite circumstances.
5. Complete prescribed antibiotics, rabies vaccines, and tetanus boosters.
6. Keep records (photos of the wound, medical notes) for reference.