Animal bites can happen in an instant—unexpected, painful, and often frightening. When dealing with the aftermath, it’s important to get prompt, comprehensive care to prevent complications.
For thorough treatment without the wait, walk into your nearest ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care, where you’ll receive the compassionate care you deserve.
Signs and Symptoms of Animal Bites
Bites can often be frightening, especially when signs of infection appear. Our experienced medical team is here to provide the quick and expert care you need to prevent complications and help you or your loved one heal with peace of mind.
The following signs and symptoms may indicate infection or the presence of debris in your wound:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Pus, wetness, or leakage
- Fever (100.4° F or higher)
- Red streaks extending from the bite
- Warmth and localized redness around the bite
If an animal has bitten you or a loved one, seek medical care as soon as possible to avoid infection and possible nerve and blood vessel damage.
Types of Animal Bites
Animals have a lot of bacteria in their mouths, which can cause a serious infection if a bite breaks the skin.
Snake, dog, and cat bites are among the most dangerous animal bites because they can lead to severe complications due to the potential for venom injection (from snakes) and the high risk of infection (e.g., rabies, tetanus, meningitis.) from the high levels of bacteria in a dog or cat’s mouth—especially if the bite punctures are deep.
Snake Bites
A snake bite will often have puncture marks from the snake’s fangs. These may be single or double, depending on the angle and depth of the bite.
While snake bites are rare in the U.S., and most snakes in North America are not venomous, it is important to know and follow these safety tips:
- Take a mental note of the snake’s size, shape, and coloring.
- Remove all jewelry and tight clothing to avoid problems with swelling.
- Keep the bite area below the heart to keep the venom from spreading.
- Keep the bitten person as still as possible to keep the venom from spreading.
- Keep the bitten person calm to prevent shock.
- Cover the bite loosely with a clean, dry bandage.
- Go to your nearest urgent care clinic—while these steps can help, professional care is necessary to ensure proper healing.
Snake bites—even if they’re not venomous—can feel terrifying. Our urgent care team will quickly evaluate and treat the bite so you can begin your safe and healthy recovery.
Dog Bites
Dog bites are common and often involve a familiar dog. While most bites are minor, it’s important to seek proper medical care if:
- The bite wound is deep, large, or you can’t stop the bleeding.
- The bite wound is on your face or head.
- The bite area is red, swollen, warm, painful, or has pus.
- You have a fever, red streaks from the wound, or you lose feeling in the area.
- The dog is a stray, looks sick, or you’re not sure if it’s up to date on rabies vaccinations.
You should seek medical care within 24 hours of any bite that breaks the skin, as you may need stitches, a tetanus shot, antibiotics, or surgery.
Follow these safety tips if a dog has bitten you:
- Wash the bite wound with mild soap and warm water for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
- Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops.
- Apply antibiotic ointment if available to lower your risk of infection.
- Cover the wound with a clean, dry bandage.
Cat Bites
Cat bites are dirty wounds, happen often, and always require antibiotics. If you’re bitten by a cat, here’s what to do right away, before visiting an urgent care center:
- Apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
- Gently wash the wound with warm water and soap for at least five minutes.
- Apply antibacterial ointment to help lower the risk of infection.
- Cover the wound with a dry, sterile bandage.
- Contact your healthcare provider or visit your nearest urgent care center for further treatment.
Other Animal Bites
Most other animal bites are caused by stray or wild animals (e.g., skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats). Bites that cause puncture wounds are more likely to become infected—seeking urgent medical care is essential.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a stray, wild, or unknown animal, and you’re experiencing one or more of the following, go to your nearest urgent care clinic:
- Swelling, redness, or pus draining from the wound.
- A bite on the head, face, neck, hands, or feet.
- A deep or large bite or a bite that you believe requires stitches.
- Exposed muscle or bone.
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding.
- Red streaks that spread out from the wound.
- You have not had a tetanus shot in five years.
We also recommend calling animal control if you are bitten by a wild, stray, unknown animal, or one that behaves oddly. Tell them what the animal looks like and where it is so they can follow up, capture, and isolate it if needed.
ClearChoiceMD: Urgent Care for Animal Bites
We know animal bites can be painful and unsettling. We’re ready to provide the expert care you need so you can feel better fast.
Our medical team is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat all types of animal bites. Walk into your nearest ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care location today for prompt, effective, comprehensive care for animal bites, insect bites and stings, allergic reactions, and more.
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