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
© AbleStock
• Coral snake
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.