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
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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.
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