Assessment and Management of Animal Bites
Aftercare
- Keep dressing in place for 24 hours.
- Clean wound with soap and water.
- Elevate and apply ice to affected extremity to prevent swelling and reduce pain.
- Monitor for signs of infection: fever, redness, increased pain, swelling, discharge.
- Report incident to Medical Health Officer so observation/examination of animal for rabies can be done as appropriate.
- Inform patient not to shoot animal so assessment of animal can occur.
- Do not pet or feed strange or wild animals.
Follow-up
- Most infections present 48-72 hours after injury so have patient follow-up for wound reassessment within this timeframe.
- Return for reassessment if signs or symptoms of infection are present.