Animal attack first aid: Cat bites can be especially dangerous
In three years of working at the Danville SPCA, Shaylan Martin has only been bitten by an animal once.
“A cat was extremely stressed out during a medical intake. It bit one of my fingers, and I used sanitizer and got it checked at the ER, as is our protocol,” she said. “The finger swelled up and was on my left hand. I’m left-handed, so that made things pretty interesting when trying to fill out intake paperwork.”
The quick swelling Martin experienced isn’t surprising, according to Angela Kline of Evangelical Community Hospital.
“Cat bites are typically worse than dog when it comes to infection. They carry a certain bacteria on the teeth, and when they bite deeply, that bacteria can fester and cause an infection,” she said. “Usually about 50 percent of cat bites lead to infection vs. 15 percent of dog bites.”
Kline added that she recommends any deep cat bite to be seen by a medical professional, and that she always treats such wounds with an antibiotic to be safe.
Domesticated animal bites make up most of what Dr. Denise Torres sees in terms of animal vs. human-based wounds.
“In terms of number of cases, dog bites are the biggest,” she said.
First aid for such a wound starts as it does for any cut, puncture or abrasion that breaks the skin.
“If it is bleeding, hold pressure to stop the bleeding and then wash the wound out,” Torres said. “Animals carry bacteria, so any such bite should receive medical attention, whether it is at the emergency room, urgent care or through the family doctor.”
At the ER, doctors will assess the best course of treatment, according to Erin Zaharick of UPMC Susquehanna.
“We wash the wound and patients typically will get a tetanus shot if they are not updated,” she said. “We may need to do a rabies series, too, and then typically use an antibiotic ointment with a clean, dry dressing.”
It is important to know the immunization records of any pet, but if that is unknown, observation can offer clues to whether or not it is infected.
“We usually put dogs into quarantine and watch for symptoms,” Torres said.
Calm, efficient response for snake bites
Throughout the Valley, there are only two species of snakes that are poisonous, according to Angela Kline, of Evangelical.
“You definitely want to avoid copperheads and rattlesnakes, but with any snake, it is smart to keep a wide perimeter — at least 15 feet away,” she said. “And if you are bit by either a copperhead
or a rattlesnake, you’ll need to seek immediate medical attention.”
The venom from a poisonous snake bite can cause some unique complications, according to Dr. Denise Torres, of Geisinger.
It puts you at a greater risk of bleeding and other hematologic concerns. It can lead to kidney failure, as well,” said Torres. “At the time of the bite, however, there may not be a lot of bleeding. Try to wash the wound and definitely keep calm. Some recommend you even lie down with the wound held below the heart.’ There can be a lot of swelling, so Torres suggested removing restrictive clothing.
“You should not apply a tourniquet as old medical advice once suggested,” she said. “You also don’t want to try to suck out the venom or cut out the wound site.”
PGC: Bear attacks are extremely rare
Melinda LeBarron was brutally attacked by a black bear outside her rural Montgomery home in mid-December. The bear dragged her an estimated 88 yards, leaving her scalped and nursing numerous life-threatening injuries.
However, bear attacks of this magnitude are extremely rare, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Travis Lau.
If you do encounter a bear in the wild, Lau recommended making sure the bear knows you are there.
“Give a whistle or say something softly. Usually, that is all you need to do and the bear will run the other way,” he said. “However, if you come across a female bear (sow) who has cubs, that can change the scenario.”
Typically, if a mother bear feels threatened, she will send her cubs up a tree and then will do whatever possible to keep the potential threat away,according to Lau.
“If the bear becomes aggressive, you’ll see certain cues. If it starts popping its jaws while holding its ground or if it does a bluff charge — that is, takes a few steps toward you and stops — those are signs that you should get out of the area,” he said. “Don’t turn your back on the bear, don’t ran, but move away quickly and stay aware of your surroundings.”
Prevention key for insect bites
Ticks may be among the smallest of creatures approached in the wild, but don’t underestimate their
Deer potential health threat, tick “Ticks, and Lyme Disease, are becoming one of the most prevalent health issues for people who spend time outdoors,” said Angela Kline, of Evangelical. “They latch on and feed on the host’s blood, and usually after about 36 hours they will become engorged with blood and ultimately herniate their intestines into the host. That is when the Lyme Disease can be transferred.”
The timeline is key, she added, meaning that ticks can’t transmit Lyme Disease if found within 24 hours of contact with the body.
“This is why performing regular checks is so important.
If your child is playing outdoors near a woodpile or in the leaves, check them for ticks. If you go hiking, check yourself while in the shower that night,” Kline said.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease may include a bullseye-type rash where bit — but that isn’t always the case. Other symptoms include joint pain, fatigue and even partial facial paralysis in some cases, according to Kline.
There are two poisonous spider species in the state, according to Dr. Denise Torres, of Geisinger — the brown recluse and black widow.
“You get more of a local reaction with the brown recluse,” she said. “Regardless of what type of spider bites you, there can be a reaction, including swelling, increased redness, fever, vomiting and muscle pain. For any of this, you should get checked at the emergency room.”
While West Nile Virus isn’t prevalent in the area, the mosquito-borne illness is another reason to use preventive precaution when outdoors, according to Torres.
“Use insect repellents with DEET before going out and be vigilant,” she said. “In most of these cases, using common sense and awareness is your safest strategy.”