Animal Bites and Rabies

Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Bites

Each year millions of people in the United States are bitten by animals. Most of the people who are bitten are children. Whether the animal is a family pet or a creature from the “wild,” scratches and bites can carry disease. For example, cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection, can be transmitted by a cat scratch (usually from a kitten) even if the site of the scratch doesn’t look infected. In addition, certain animals can transmit rabies.

What infections can develop from animal bites and scratches?

Many infection-causing bacteria have been isolated from dog and cat bite wounds. Several of the most significant include the following:

Pasteurellosis (păs-tĕr-ĕ-lō-sis)
The most common bite-associated infection is caused by a bacterium called Pasteurella. Most cats and dogs—even healthy ones—naturally carry this organism in their mouths. When an animal bites a person (or another animal), these bacteria can enter the wound and start an infection. The first signs of pasteurellosis usually occur within 2 to 12 hours of the bite and includes pain, reddening, and swelling of the area around the site of the bite. Pasteurellosis can progress quickly, spreading toward the body from the bitten area. It is important that you seek medical care immediately if these symptoms occur. Untreated, this infection can lead to severe complications. Bites to the hand need special attention; if pasteurellosis develops in the tissues of the hand, the bacteria can infect tendons or even bones and sometimes cause permanent damage if appropriate medical care is not administered promptly.

Streptococcal (strĕp tō-kŏk-ăl) and Staphylococcal ( stăf ĭl-ō- kŏk-ăl) Infections.
These bacteria can cause infections similar to those caused by Pasteurella. Redness and painful swelling occur at or near the site of the bite and progress toward the body. As with pasteurellosis, you should seek prompt medical care if these symptoms develop.

Capnocytophaga (kăp-nō-sī-tō-fāj-ă) Infection.
This is a very rare infection, but we mention it here because it is so dangerous if it develops. There is no common name for this infection, which is caused by the bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus. Most of the people who have become infected were bitten by dogs; in many instances the bite wounds themselves were tiny and would not have ordinarily called for any special medical care. But Capnocytophaga can cause septicemia, or blood poisoning, particularly in people whose immune systems are compromised by some underlying condition (see box below). Up to 30 percent of people who have developed this septicemia have died. People who have had their spleens removed are at special risk for this infection. Early symptoms may include nausea, headache, muscle aches, and tiny reddened patches on the skin.

If you have any of the risk factors listed below, particularly if you have had your spleen removed, it is very important that you take proper immediate care of any animal bite wound and promptly seek medical advice. 

Rabies

Rabies is a disease that affects only mammals (raccoons, bats, dogs, horses, and humans). Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Without treatment, it is 100 percent fatal. Rabies develops in two stages. During the first stage, which can last up to 10 days, the individual may have a headache, fever, decreased appetite, vomiting and general malaise, along with pain, itching, and tingling at the wound site. Symptoms of stage two include difficulty in swallowing, agitation, disorientation, paralysis, and coma. At this point there is no known effective treatment.

What are the signs and symptoms of an infection caused by an animal bite?

• Warmth around the wound
• Swelling
• Pain
• A pus discharge
• Redness around the puncture wound

Signs of damage to tendons or nerves include:

• An inability to bend or straighten the finger
• A loss of sensation over the tip of the finger

What should I do if an animal bites me?

First Aid:

Don’t put the bitten area in your mouth. You will just be adding the bacteria in your mouth to that already in the wound.

If the wound is superficial, wash the area thoroughly. Use soap and water or an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-stick bandage. Watch the area carefully to see if there are signs of damaged nerves or tendons. Some bruising may develop, but the wound should heal within a week to 10 days. It is does not heal, or if you see signs of infection or damage to nerves and tendons, seek medical help.

If there is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean dry cloth. Elevate the area. Do not clean a wound that is actively bleeding. Cover the wound with a clean sterile dressing and always seek medical help.

If the wound is to the face and/or head and neck area, seek medical help immediately.

Contact your physician to see whether additional treatment is needed.

Report the incident to the Rhode Island Department of Health by calling (401) 222-2577.

For more information on what to do if you or your child has been bitten by an animal go to KidsHealth .

How can I prevent an animal bite?

Follow these recommendations to prevent animal bites and rabies:

• Do not try to separate fighting animals
• Avoid animals that appear sick or act strangely.
• Leave animals, even pets or other animals you know, alone when they are eating or sleeping.
• Keep pets on a leash when out in public.
• Never leave a young child alone with a pet.
• Don’t tease an animal by waving sticks, throwing stones, or pulling a tail.
• Be sure your pet is vaccinated.
• Do not play with any wild animal.
• Do not pet strange animals, even pets on a leash, without asking permission of the owner first.

Who do call for more information?

Call the RI Department of Health Office of Communicable Diseases at 222-2577 or go to the RI Department of Environmental Management Website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/contact/rabies.htm for a complete listing of contacts.