Chapter 17 Animal Bites, Human Bites, and Snake Bites

Lesson Objectives Identify the various sources of animal bites and know how to treat injuries inflicted by animals, as well as when to consider the risk of rabies. Know how to manage bites from humans. Identify poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes in the United States and describe the management of snake bites.

Animal Bites (1 of 7) Wild Animals –Bears, bison, moose, cougars, alligators. –Injuries include puncture wounds, bites, lacerations, bruises, rupture of internal organs, and evisceration.

Animal Bites (2 of 7) Domestic animals –Most animal bites are inflicted by dogs and cats. –Cat bites frequently become infected.

Animal Bites (3 of 7) What to do –If not bleeding heavily, irrigate with water for 5 to 10 minutes. –Remove foreign material. –Control bleeding with pressure. –If rabies is possible, wash with soap and water, benzalkonium chloride, or povidone-iodine.

Animal Bites (4 of 7) What to do –After attack by a large animal, examine the victim for internal injuries. –Cover wounds with a sterile dressing. –Evacuate.

Animal Bites (5 of 7) Rabies –A fatal viral infection of the brain. –Only affects warm-blooded animals. –Animals most commonly infected include skunks, raccoons, and bats.

Animal Bites (6 of 7) Rabies –Consider rabies in the following situations: In an area or country where rabies is endemic If a bite by a dog, cat, skunk, raccoon, or fox is unprovoked and the skin is broken If the victim was bitten by a bat If the victim was bitten by a large carnivore If an already open wound is licked by a potentially rabid animal

Animal Bites (7 of 7) Rabies –What to do Wash the bite vigorously with soap and water or irrigate with benzalkonium chloride. Brain of infected animal must be examined. It may be necessary to capture or kill the animal.

Human Bites What to do –Wash with soap and water for 5 to 10 minutes. –Control bleeding with pressure. –Cover the wound with a sterile dressing. –Seek medical care and tetanus immunizations, if necessary.

Snake Bites (1 of 8) Pit viper Coral snake © AbleStock Courtesy of Luther C. Goldman/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Snake Bites (2 of 8) Pit viper snake bites –What to look for Severe burning pain at bite site Two small puncture wounds Swelling Discoloration and blood-filled blisters In severe cases: nausea, vomiting, sweating, weakness, bleeding, coma, and death.

Snake Bites (3 of 8) Pit viper snake bites –What to do Get the victim away from the snake. Do not attempt oral suction or incising the skin. Keep the victim quiet. Evacuate immediately.

Snake Bites (4 of 8) Pit viper snake bites –What to do Antivenin should be given within 4 to 6 hours. Immobilize affected limb. If there is no immediate reaction, start to walk slowly with the victim to the trailhead.

Snake Bites (5 of 8) Coral snake bite –What to look for Respiratory depression. Double vision. Difficulty swallowing. Several hours can pass before onset of symptoms. Absence of immediate symptoms does not mean it is a harmless bite.

Snake Bites (6 of 8) Coral snake bite –What to do Keep victim calm. Clean the bite with soap and water. Wrap a bitten limb with an elastic bandage. Evacuate the victim to a hospital for antivenin.

Snake Bites (7 of 8) Nonpoisonous snake bite –What to look for Horseshoe-shaped tooth marks Some swelling and tenderness No evidence of significant envenomation

Snake Bites (8 of 8) Nonpoisonous snake bite –What to do Clean bite with soap and water. Care for the bite as a minor wound. A tetanus booster may be needed.