Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED after getting bitten by an animal. The bite might have scraped, torn, or punctured your skin. Depending on how serious the bite is, you might have gotten stitches.
You might need to take antibiotics to treat or prevent an infection. If so, finish all the antibiotics.
If the animal that bit you could have rabies, you got a shot of the rabies vaccine. You will need to come back and get more shots of the vaccine. It is very important to go to these follow-up appointments. You might also have gotten a tetanus vaccine.
Most of the time, you can care for your wound or wounds at home. How long it will take to heal is based on how serious the wound is.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your medicines as instructed, if you were given any.
●The doctor might want you to keep the wound covered as it heals. You can put a thin layer of antibiotic ointment on the wound to help keep it moist. This also keeps the dressing from sticking to the wound.
●After a day or 2, you can gently wash the wound with soap and water. Pat it dry, and put on a clean dressing.
●Change the dressing as instructed. Each time, look closely at the wound to make sure it is healing. It is normal to see some thin, yellowish discharge.
●Always wash your hands before and after touching the wound or dressing.
●If you got stitches, the doctor will tell you how to care for them. Do not try to remove them yourself. The doctor will tell you when to come back to get them removed.
●Avoid scratching the wound. Do not pick the scab.
●Do not soak in water or swim with an open wound.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●The wound is swollen, red, or warm.
●Thick yellow or green discharge is coming from the wound.
●The wound opens up.
●The wound hurts more after 2 days.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Animal and human bites (The Basics)
Patient education: Rabies (The Basics)
Patient education: Cat scratch disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Tetanus (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds (The Basics)
Patient education: How to change a dressing (The Basics)
Patient education: Animal and human bites (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Rabies (Beyond the Basics)
