Overview

After an animal bite, the biggest concern is infection. The chance of infection depends on the type of animal that bit your child and where your child was bitten. It also depends on your child's general health. Many animal bites are not closed with stitches, because this can increase the chance of infection.

The bite may take as little as 7 days or as long as several months to heal, depending on how bad it is. Taking good care of your child's wound at home will help it heal and reduce the chance of infection.

The doctor has checked your child carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away.

How can you care for your child at home?

• If your doctor told you how to care for your child's wound, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
  • After 24 to 48 hours, remove the bandage and then gently wash the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Do not scrub or soak the wound. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
  • You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.
  • Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
• After your child takes a bath or shower, gently dry the wound with a clean towel.
• If your doctor has closed the wound, cover the bandage with a plastic bag before your child takes a bath or shower.
• A small amount of skin redness and swelling around the wound edges and the stitches or staples is normal. Your child's wound may itch or feel irritated. Do not let your child scratch or rub the wound.
• Ask your doctor if you can give your child an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• If the bite puts your child at risk for rabies, your child will get a series of shots over the next few weeks to prevent rabies. Your doctor will tell you when your child needs to get the shots. It is very important that your child gets the full cycle of shots. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
• Your child may need a tetanus shot.
• If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
• If the bite is from a pet, you should monitor the pet for 10 days. Keep the pet on your property and away from other people and animals during this time. If possible, keep the pet indoors at night during this time. While you are monitoring the pet, call Environmental Public Health at 1-833-476-4743 if:
  • You notice the pet becoming more aggressive or anxious.
  • The pet attacks or bites without being provoked.
  • The pet acts strangely, like being unusually tired or shy, losing weight, lacking coordination, drooling, or not being able to move (paralysis).
  • The pet dies, escapes, or gets sick. Do not euthanize the pet during the 10 day observation period. If you have to euthanize the pet during this time, call Environmental Public Health first.
• Seek immediate medical attention if the animal that bit your child starts acting differently, dies, escapes, or gets sick less than 10 days after biting your child.