Animal and Human Bites Treatment Clinic Q&A

Animal bites can be treated in a few ways, if you are willing to start treatment at home, start by:

1. Stop Bleeding
Apply direct pressure to the bite until it stops bleeding

2. Clean and Protect
For a wound or superficial scratch from an animal bite, gently clean with soap and warm water then rinse for several minutes. Finish by applying antibiotic cream to reduce the risk of infection and cover with a sterile bandage.

3. Seek Medical Help
Seek medical help immediately from urgent care if the animal bite is more than a superficial scratch or if the animal is wild or a stray, regardless of the severity of the injury. If the animal is wild or stray, call 9-1-1 immediately or animal control. If the animal’s owner is around, find out if the animal has an up-to-date rabies shot. Make sure to provide this information to your healthcare provider.

4. Follow-Up with Medical Provider
Following up with a medical provider will help, as they will make sure the wound is thoroughly cleaned and may prescribe antibiotics if they think its necessary. Healthcare providers may begin to numb the wound and look for any deeper damage. If there runs any risk of infection, the healthcare provider may recommend anti-rabies treatment and/or a tetanus shot (booster). You may also be required stitches if the wound if big enough, and dependent on where it is located.

Human bites can easily cause infection due to the number of bacteria in the human mouth. Healthcare providers should always check out a human bite if it breaks the skin.

Specific treatment for a human bite should be provided by a medical provider, but you can take steps before going in to help, they are:

1. Apply pressure to the bite if it’s bleeding with a clean bandage or towel
2. Wash the wound out with soap and water, place under running cool water for several minutes to help diminish infection
3. Dry the wound and cover it up with a sterile gauze
4. Visit Columbia Clinic Urgent Care to see a healthcare provider, they can provide treatments, as well as any tetanus boosters if needed and prescribe antibiotics to treat any infections.

Animal bites can happen to anyone. If you are enjoying a nice hike or camping and come across a wild animal that may bite to protect itself, or a neighbor’s dog that either bites you accidentally while playing or from being aggressive. Many types of animals can inflict bites to adults and children, but most animal bites are seen from a family pet.

Medical care for an animal bite is critical, and you should be seen by a doctor immediately for several reasons:

– Risk of getting an infection, including bacterial and rabies infections
– Broken animal teeth may be embedded in your wound
– Foreign objects can be embedded in your wound
– Possible nerve damage and/or blood vessel damage

Animal bites are diagnosed and treated if you see a medical professional like a doctor at Columbia Clinic Urgent Care. Our healthcare professionals will inspect the bite, order any x-rays if they think you may have a fracture or broken bone, clean out the wound properly with medical supplies, they may remove any of the dead or infected skin that cannot be repaired to help with the healing process, close up the wound if it needs with stitches or sutures, and provide additional wound care home treatments for you to manage while resting and healing.

Many times, antibiotics will be prescribed in case of an infection, and they may provide pain relief medication if the bite is severe.

Cleaning and treating the animal or human bite as soon as possible will help to reduce any chance of infection and scarring. This will not only help with the healing process as well as any serious infections that can cause internal damage.

Come to Columbia Clinic Urgent Care for professional care of animal and human bites. Our kind and compassionate professionals can help you find relief from your pain. Call one of our locations today to book an appointment, or simply walk right in! We serve patients from Tibbetts St Portland, Milwaukie OR, Oak Grove OR, Stark Street Portland, Fairview OR, Happy Valley OR, Gladstone OR, Cedar Mill OR, Tibbetts Street Portland OR, West Linn OR, Aloha OR, Tigard OR, Lake Oswego OR, Tualatin OR, Oregon City OR.