Seek Medical Attention Immediately
- If the animal bite is more than superficial, if the animal was a stray or wild animal, seek medical attention no matter the severity (if possible ask owner if the animal’s rabies shots are up-to-date; this information you’ll need to provide to your healthcare provider).
- If the animal is wild or stray call animal control or your local health department as soon as possible.
Symptoms
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Stop Bleeding
- Apply pressure directly on wound until bleeding stops
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Clean/Protect
Animal wounds and superficial scratches:
- Clean wound gently with soap and warm water. After cleaning, rinse for several minutes.
- Reduce risk of infections by applying antibiotic cream and cover with sterilized bandages.
Call a Doctor
- The wound may need to be thoroughly cleaned and you may need antibiotic prescriptions.
- If you require stitches; depending on the location and size of the wound.
- You may require a tetanus shot or booster
- If you’re at risk of rabies; you may need anti-rabies treatment.
- To make sure there isn’t deeper damage.
Call 911
- If there are serious wounds
- Bleeding severely
- Blood spurting out from wound
- Excess of bleeding after 10 minutes
