At Rice Emergency Room, our board-certified healthcare professionals are dedicated to treating your animal bite injury in the best way possible.
Depending on the kind of animal and the bite’s severity, animal bites can vary greatly.
Cats, dogs, and wild animals are among the most prevalent sources of animal bites.
Cats have fangs that are long, slender, and sharp. They can create small, severe puncture wounds when they bite. As the small hole heals, bacteria may become trapped in the skin, causing infection. Infections may necessitate additional treatment, such as antibiotics or tetanus shots. Approximately 50% of cat bites result in infection in humans. Since a cat bite frequently generates a deeper wound, infection of deeper tissues is more likely.
In the United States, dog bites are prevalent. Every year, almost 5 million individuals report being bitten by an animal and dog bites account for 90% of that total. Only 10 to 15% of dog bites, however, become infected.
When dogs are overly enthusiastic, afraid, or hurt, they are more inclined to bite. Any breed of dog, regardless of temperament, has the potential to bite a person.
Wild animal bites are rare in contrast to household animal bites. Bats, raccoons, wild dogs, and foxes are among the most probable creatures to bite someone.
The potential of rabies from a wild animal bite is one of many concerns. Any wild animal bite that breaks the skin’s surface should be treated by a doctor immediately.
Rabies is a viral infection that, once symptoms appear, is usually lethal. If a doctor suspects that a person has contracted rabies from an animal bite, they will administer a prophylactic rabies vaccine and immune globulin immediately.
Tetanus is a potentially fatal infection that can be spread through an animal bite. Adults who have been bitten should obtain a tetanus vaccine (also known as a tetanus toxoid vaccine) if their most recent tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago.
An infected animal bite can cause potentially lethal blood or bone problems if left untreated. If a doctor suspects a person is at risk, they will look for indicators of this during an
examination.
Any animal bite should be examined by a doctor. Although immediate medical assistance may not always be accessible, you should see a physician as soon as possible. Following a bite, it is critical to monitor for signs or symptoms of infection.
A doctor will evaluate your chance of infection, look for other injuries, and make every effort to reduce scarring. Following an animal bite, the following tests are routinely performed:
Debris is meticulously studied in wounds. Before the doctor checks your wound, a numbing medication may be applied
X-rays might be ordered by the doctor to identify bone fractures. An X-ray can also assist them in ensuring that there is no debris in the wound that is not noticeable upon evaluation. Certain external materials, such as dirt or grass, are easily overlooked.
Stiches are rarely used to close puncture wounds. Some wounds, however, must be sutured or stiched promptly after the bite.
Depending on the severity of your injury, the doctor may recommend different kinds of wound care. Sutured wounds should be maintained clean and dry at all times. Showering is permissible, but the wound should be dried gently to avoid breaking the sutures. Non-sutured wounds may need daily washing or other types of care.
To adequately clean the wound, the doctor will rinse it.
This is critical for infection prevention. Although irrigation does not always prevent infection, it does lessen the risk. To alleviate discomfort, a local anesthetic may be administered.
Animal bites can cause permanent skin damage. Debridement may be required to remove dead or infected skin and tissue that cannot be regenerated. Debridement can be painful at times and may necessitate the use of a local anesthetic.
There are certain factors that increase the risk of developing complications from an animal bite. These include:
Children who are less than 14 years old are at risk for animal bites because their immune systems may not be strong enough to fight off infection. Additionally, children are at a higher risk of being bitten than adults, as they may not know how to interact with animals properly, so never leave them unsupervised.
People who own pets are more likely to be bitten by an animal than those who do not, as they are more likely to interact with animals. Pets may also become agitated and bite when they feel threatened or when their owners try to restrain them.
People with comorbidities or are immunocompromised are at higher risk for an infection after an animal bite because their immune system is not as strong as other healthy individuals. They may also not know how to properly care for a wound after being bitten by an animal and may risk the development of an infection.
At Rice Emergency Room, we provide comprehensive care for all types of animal bites. Although animal bites are not always serious, they can result in severe injury or even death. We provide different services to ensure the best treatment possible, such as:
If our doctors suspect an infection, they will be conducting other necessary testing to make sure you are being treated properly.
Our doctors will take every precaution and action needed to prevent the possibility of a rabies infection.
To manage pain and ensure complete healing, our doctors will prescribe the proper therapy or medication needed for you.
If you or your loved one have been bitten by an animal, contact Rice Emergency Room immediately for the best animal bite emergency response.
Our animal bite treatment has several benefits, including:
Getting bitten by an animal can be very painful, so our treatment plans will make sure to minimize or eliminate the pain you are feeling.
Our treatment plans also consider your skin’s condition, so our doctors will try their best to come up with options to reduce scarring and the like.
The cost of your animal injury treatment will depend on the severity of the bite, the type of treatment you require, and other factors. At Rice Emergency Room, we offer a range of payment options to make treatment as accessible as possible. If you have any questions about the cost of our animal bite treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact Rice Emergency Room.
Rice Emergency Room is the best choice for animal bite treatment in Houston. We assure to provide the best services in Rice Village and all of its inner loop neighborhoods.
We have a team of specialists who are experienced in treating sports injuries. We offer a variety of services to help you get back to your game as soon as possible.
We offer a variety of payment options to make sure that you can get the treatment you need.
We offer personalized care to each and every one of our patients. We will work with you to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
There are many reasons why animals bite. They may feel threatened, they may be protecting their young, or they may be sick. Sometimes, bites occur because people who do not know how to properly interact with animals.
An animal bite infection is a bacterial infection that can occur after an animal bite. Infections can occur in any part of the body but are most common in the hands, feet, and face.
Animal bite infections can be serious and may require antibiotics or surgery. Without medical care, these infections may become worse and may lead to health problems such as sepsis, meningitis, or even death.
Additionally, animal bites can cause serious injuries that may require surgery to repair. With no medical attention, these injuries may become infected and may lead to long-term health problems.
There are a few things you can do to prevent animal bites:
● Always be aware of your surroundings and be cautious when interacting with animals.
● Never touch an animal you don’t know.
● Always keep your children supervised when around animals.
● If you are bitten, seek medical attention right away.
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