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.