What are animal bites?

Animal bites are a common cause of injury. Most animal bites aren't serious.

Dog, cat and human bites are the most frequent type of mammal bites. However, any animal can bite you, including rodents, farm animals and native animals.

Dog bites often cause crush injuries, due to high pressure from the dog's jaws. They can also cause lacerations (jagged cuts) and abrasions (scrapes or grazes) from ripping and tearing.

Cats have small and sharp teeth that can cause deep puncture wounds. The wound can sometimes go right down to your bone and tendons.

Human bites happen when human teeth penetrate the skin. This can be on purpose, or by accident. Human bites often cause infection.

What symptoms are related to animal bites?

Animal bites are often painful and sore to touch. There may be:

• teeth marks
• abrasions and lacerations
• puncture wounds
• bruising and swelling
• bleeding
• pain
• infection

What causes animal bites?

A bite is an injury caused by the mouth and teeth of an animal or human.

Dog bites

Most dog bites are caused either by a family pet or a dog that belongs to someone you know.

Dogs can bite anybody. But the following people are most often bitten:

• children under 5 years
• males
• those who live in houses with dogs

Male, unsterilised dogs are more likely to bite than other dogs. Dogs in Australia don't have rabies.

Cat bites

Cat bites often happen in females and older people. Because cats have small, sharp teeth, they can cause deep puncture wounds.

The wound can sometimes go right down to your bone. Up to 8 in 10 cat bites can become infected.

Human bites

Human bite wounds most often affect the fingers and hands. But up to 2 in 10 wounds are 'love nips' to the breasts or genitals.

Human bites have a higher complication and infection rate than animal bites.

Bat bites

If you have been, or think you may have been, bitten or scratched by a bat — get immediate medical attention.

In Australia, microbats and flying foxes should only be touched by people who:

• have a current rabies vaccination
• have been trained in the care of bats
• are wearing personal protective clothing

If you find an injured bat, call WIRES wildlife rescue on 1300 094 737.

Bats can carry Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). ABLV is like rabies but very rare.

When should I see my doctor?

If an animal bite has broken your skin, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

When to seek urgent care

Go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital if:

• your wound is large or deep
• you were bitten on your face or head
• you can't stop the bleeding

Do not drive to hospital. Ask someone to drive you or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

If a body part has been torn off — such as a finger or part of your ear:

• wrap it in sterile gauze that is damp with sterile saline solution
• put it in a plastic bag that is airtight and sealed
• place bag on top of the ice — don't let ice or water into the bag
• take it to hospital with you

How are animal bites diagnosed?

The doctor will examine you and ask about your bite. They may also arrange for you to have:

• a wound swab — to check for infection
• blood tests — to check for infection
• an x-ray — if they are concerned about damage to your bones

How are animal bites treated?

If you are bitten and the skin is broken, get medical advice immediately to avoid developing tetanus.

You can take care of some animal bites yourself. You may need medical attention if the wound is more serious. Your treatment will depend on:

• the type of animal that bit you
• your vaccination status
• any signs of infection

Self-care at home

You can easily treat a minor bite wound at home, with your doctor's support. You should:

• clean the skin around the wound with soap and water
• try to remove any dirt, hair or teeth using running water
• squeeze the wound so that it bleeds a little bit — this helps to lower your chance of getting an infection
• pat dry with a clean cloth
• cover your wound with a clean dressing to help prevent infection

If your wound is bleeding a lot, press a dry dressing on it after cleaning.

Bat bites and scratches

If you are bitten or scratched by a bat in Australia, you should:

• wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes
• put antiseptic solution with anti-virus action on it — such as povidone-iodine, iodine tincture, aqueous iodine solution or alcohol (ethanol)
• get urgent medical attention and get vaccinated against Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV)

You should go to the hospital, even if you have been vaccinated for ABLV.

Medicines for animal bites

Your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent or treat an infection.

Other treatments for animal bites

Your doctor may use stitches, sticky strips or special glue to close your wound.

You'll doctor will decide if you need a tetanus booster shot.

If you were bitten by a person, you may be offered blood tests to check for:

• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• HIV

If you have a bat bite or scratch, you will need to be vaccinated against Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV). This should happen as soon as possible to prevent ABLV. There is no treatment for ABLV once symptoms start.

Complications from animal bites

The main complications from animal bites are:

• infection
• tissue damage
• psychological distress

Studies have shown that 1 in 2 people fear dog attacks after a dog bite.

What are the signs of infection after an animal bite?

Infection is the most common complication of a bite injury. Especially after cat and human bites.

The bacteria that cause bite infections may come from:

• the environment
• your skin
• the mouth of the biter

Different animals have different microbes (germs) in their mouths.

The symptoms of an animal bite infection are:

• fever — a temperature of 38℃ or higher
• the wound becoming more painful
• redness and swelling around the wound
• the wound feels warm
• pus or discharge from the wound
• swollen lymph nodes, especially in your neck, armpits or groin

Can animal bites be prevented?

You can help prevent animal bites by teaching your child how to behave safely around dogs and other animals. Animals should never be disturbed when they are eating.

If you are considering getting a pet, a less dangerous breed may also lower your chance of being bitten.

Make sure that your pets are up to date with their immunisations.

Animal bites when travelling

You might be exposed to rabies when travelling. Your chance of being exposed to rabies depends on where you are travelling. Generally, your risk is highest in Asia, Africa and Central and South America.

To lower your chance of getting rabies when you travel:

• talk to your doctor about pre-travel rabies vaccination at least one month before you start your trip
• don't touch, feed or play with animals when travelling

Resources and support

The World Health Organization (WHO) has a map showing countries with a high risk of rabies.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.