Pets are the best, but sometimes the unfortunate still happens and we get bitten. Dog and cat bites both run a risk of causing bacterial infection, which can lead to further health problems if left untreated or undetected.

If you’ve been bitten by a dog or cat, how are you supposed to know if your bite is infected, though? Our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville team provides some helpful answers below.

What Should I Do If I’ve Been Bitten?

First, you should perform first aid on your bite wound. We’ve listed the necessary first-aid steps below.

After you’ve doctored your wound at home, it’s best to visit our AFC center to get further treatment. Even if your bite wound isn’t excessively bleeding, animal bites carry a decently high infection risk.

Necessary First-Aid Steps

• Wash the wound gently with soap and water.
• Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop any bleeding.
• Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.
• Keep the wound elevated above your heart to prevent swelling and infection.

How Can I Know If My Bite Is Infected?

Most animal bites from pets that are up-to-date on their vaccines don’t have a super high risk of becoming infected, but infection is still possible.

Cat bites, even though they’re typically less common than dog bites, have a higher infection risk due to their teeth being longer and sharper, which can cause deeper puncture wounds, seeding bacteria beneath the skin. Once a bite has occurred, it’s important to be on the lookout for signs or symptoms of infection. We’ve listed some of those common signs below.

Common Signs of Infection

• Localized redness around your wound
• Warmth around the bite area
• Red streaks leading away from the bite
• A fever
• Pus
• Swelling
• Pain

Have you been bitten and need medical care? Don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Powdersville team today!