How to Deal with an Animal Bite

Someone one called an animal bite a "kiss with teeth." Although that's a lovely and charming way of looking at the naughty side of animal behavior, a bite can be a serious incident. According to MayoClinic.com, if the bite only barely breaks your skin and you no there is no chance of rabies, you can treat it like any minor skin wound: wash with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment. Otherwise, you need to treat animal bites more seriously.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's advice
• Animal Conrol Assistance (optional)
• Health Department advice

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Instructions

• 1

  Ensure your safety and prevent further bites. In other words, get away from the animal.

• 2

  Contact your local police or animal control right away if you've been bitten a wild animal or a domestic animal where the owner is unknown. See if it is possible if they can capture and contain the animal for observation or testing.

• 3

  Immediately wash out the wound with plenty of soap and water. The point of this step is to wash out any saliva and germs that have been introduced into the wound.

• 4

  Contact your physician or go to your local emergency room. Describe which type of animal bit you and identify the location of the animal. If you are positive that the animal that bit you is currently vaccinated for the rabies virus, be sure to tell your doctor.

• 5

  Follow through with any treatments or medications that are prescribed to you, even if you are feeling better or your symptoms have subsided.

• 6

  Report the bite to the local health department and animal control so that the proper quarantine for the biting animal can be done.