Animal and Human Bites

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• When did the bite occur?
• Where were you when the bite occurred?
• How did the bite occur? Describe what happened.
• Were you bitten by a domestic pet or a wild animal?
  • Do you know the animal, or was it a stray?
  • Was the animal acting strangely?
  • Is the animal safely secured?
  • Have you notified your local animal control department?
• Was the bite provoked?
• What are your main symptoms?
• What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help? Be sure to include any nonprescription medications you have taken or used. Did they help?
• When was your last tetanus shot?
• Do you have any health risks?

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: June 30, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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