Animal Bites Also called: Cat bites, Dog bites Summary Wild animals usually avoid people. They might attack, however, if they feel threatened, are sick, or are protecting their young or territory. Attacks by pets are more common. Animal bites rarely are life-threatening, but if they become infected, you can develop serious medical problems. To prevent animal bites and complications from bites Never pet, handle, or feed unknown animals Leave snakes alone Watch your children closely around animals Vaccinate your cats, ferrets, and dogs against rabies Spay or neuter your dog to make it less aggressive Get a tetanus booster if you have not had one recently Wear boots and long pants when you are in areas with venomous snakes If an animal bites you, clean the wound with soap and water as soon as possible. Get medical attention if necessary. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Array Animal bite – first aid – slideshow Animal bites — self-care Jellyfish stings Marine animal stings or bites Poisonous snakes – slideshow Snake bites Start Here Animal Bites American Academy of Pediatrics Cat and Dog Bites American Academy of Family Physicians Specifics Animal Bites of the Hand American Society for Surgery of the Hand Dog Bite Emergencies American Veterinary Medical Association Dog Bites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lizard Bites Merck & Co., Inc. Scorpion Stings Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatments and Therapies Animal Bites: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Jellyfish Stings, First Aid Logical Images Snakebites: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Bites and Stings National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Snake Bites National Institutes of Health Prevention and Risk Factors Dog Bite Prevention American Veterinary Medical Association Prevent Bite Wounds American Academy of Pediatrics Travelers’ Health: Animal-Associated Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Children First Aid: Animal Bites Nemours Foundation Hey! A Scorpion Stung Me! Nemours Foundation Journal Articles Animal Bites Encyclopedia Scorpion fish sting Scorpions Stingray Stonefish Health Check Tools Snakebite DSHI Systems
