Animal bites are common injuries that can range from minor scratches to deep puncture wounds with the potential for serious infection. Proper evaluation and prompt treatment are key to preventing complications. In this post, we’ll explain when animal bites need stitches, when antibiotics are necessary, when to go to the ER versus calling Suture Squad, and when vaccines like tetanus or rabies are needed. We’ll also cover why cat bites are especially prone to infection.
How to Assess an Animal Bite
Factors to Consider:
- Type of animal (dog, cat, wild animal, rodent)
- How deep is the wound?
- Location of the bite (hands, feet, face, joints = higher risk)
- Time since injury
- Vaccination status of the animal
- Patient’s vaccination history (tetanus, rabies exposure risk)
Initial Treatment
- Get to a safe place, away from an attacking animal!
- Stop bleeding by holding direct pressure with a clean bandage. If any Bright Red Spurting blood, go to the ER.
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 5 minutes.
- Irrigate the wound thoroughly with saline or clean water to remove bacteria.
- Do not close puncture wounds—they trap bacteria.
- Call Suture Squad! (223) 234-8013
Do Animal Bites Need Stitches?
Wounds That May Be Closed with Stitches:
- Clean facial wounds (important for cosmetic reasons)
- Simple lacerations that occurred within 6–8 hours (face: up to 12 hours)
- Well-irrigated, low-risk wounds on other areas of the body
Wounds That Should Not Be Stitched:
- Deep puncture wounds (especially cat bites)
- Bites on the hands or feet (high infection risk)
- Wounds older than 8–12 hours
- Wounds that are infected or heavily contaminated
Antibiotics: Who Needs Them?
Antibiotics are recommended for nearly all animal bites due to the high risk of infection — especially in cat bites and dog bites involving hands, feet, or deeper tissues.
Why Cat Bites Are Especially Dangerous
Cat bites are prone to infection!
Why?
- Cats have sharp, slender teeth that create deep puncture wounds.
- The wounds often seal over, trapping bacteria inside.
- Pasteurella multocida and other bacteria from cats can cause severe infections.
Bottom line: All cat bites should be treated with antibiotics ASAP—even if they look minor at first.
When to Go to the ER vs. Suture Squad
Go to the ER if:
- The wound is bleeding heavily and won’t stop
- There is nerve, tendon, or bone exposure
- The bite is from a wild animal (bat, raccoon, skunk, fox)
- You need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis immediately
- There are signs of systemic infection (high fever, chills)
- You have a large crush injury or deep wound over a joint
Contact Suture Squad if:
- The wound is minor to moderate and manageable with wound care
- You need an evaluation for stitches
- You need antibiotics to prevent infection
- You need an updated tetanus shot
- You need rabies vaccination for low-risk domestic exposures
- You want convenient urgent care at home instead of waiting in an ER
Suture Squad can clean wounds, prescribe tetanus vaccines, and start antibiotics to prevent serious infections—especially for cat and dog bites.
Vaccines: Tetanus and Rabies
Tetanus:
- If you had a tetanus booster within the past 5 years: no booster needed.
- If it’s been more than 5 years and the bite is dirty: get a booster.
- If you’ve had no boosters or uncertain history: get a booster now.
Rabies:
- For wild animal bites or unknown animal exposure: start rabies post-exposure prophylaxis immediately.
- For domestic animals (dogs/cats):
- If the animal is healthy and can be observed for 10 days, rabies prophylaxis may not be needed.
- If the animal is stray, unvaccinated, or acting strangely, rabies prophylaxis is warranted.
Summary
Animal bites are never “just a scratch.” Every bite should be assessed for risk of infection and potential need for vaccines or antibiotics.
Cat bites are especially prone to infection—ALL cat bites need antibiotics.
When in doubt, Suture Squad can evaluate animal bites and provide:
- Wound cleaning and irrigation
- Antibiotics
- Stitches if appropriate
- Prescription for Tetanus update