Overview

Animal bites might be caused by pets — such as cats, dogs, hamsters and turtles. Or bites may be from farm animals or wild animals. The type of care needed depends on how deep the bite is and the type of animal that caused it.

You may need medicine to fight infection. Or you may need a tetanus shot or rabies shots. Wild animals that may carry rabies are coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, bats and others. Outdoor pets may carry rabies if they are sick, unvaccinated, stray and living in areas where rabies occur in pets.