Been bitten by an animal? Don’t delay—seek immediate medical attention. At LA Urgent Care, our skilled medical team provides fast, professional treatment for animal bites to prevent serious infection and ensure proper healing.

Animal bites, even if they appear minor, carry a high risk of infection due to the bacteria in an animal’s mouth. Prompt and proper medical care is crucial to reduce the risk of complications, including rabies and tetanus. Our clinic is equipped to handle these injuries with the expertise and care you need.

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Our Animal Bite Treatment Protocol

When you visit our clinic with an animal bite, our first priority is to thoroughly assess the wound and begin a treatment plan designed to minimize infection risk and promote a clean recovery.

  1. Thorough Cleaning: The single most important step in treating an animal bite is proper cleaning. We will thoroughly irrigate the wound using normal saline—a sterile salt water solution. This process flushes out bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants that can lead to infection.
  2. Debridement and Assessment: Our provider will carefully examine the wound for any signs of deep damage to the underlying tissue.
  3. Wound Closure (If Needed): The decision to use sutures (stitches) is based on the location and severity of the bite. While suturing a bite may improve cosmetic results, it can also trap bacteria inside the wound, increasing the risk of infection. For this reason, we often leave bite wounds open to heal from the inside out, or we may use a few loosely placed sutures on certain parts of the body, such as the face, where cosmetic outcome is a significant concern. Our team will make a professional judgment based on your specific case.
  4. Infection Prevention: We will assess your need for a Tetanus booster (often required if your last dose was more than 5 years ago). If the risk of a rabies exposure is present, we will work with you to contact the appropriate local health authorities and guide you through the next steps for post-exposure prophylaxis.
  5. Prescription: Depending on the severity of the bite and risk of infection, our provider may prescribe oral antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth.

Why Choose LA Urgent Care for an Animal Bite?

  • Walk-In Convenience: No appointment is needed. Immediate care is critical for an animal bite, and our walk-in service ensures you can be seen right away.
  • Expert Medical Team: Our providers have extensive experience in wound care and are trained to assess the specific risks associated with animal bites.
  • Avoid the ER: For non-life-threatening bites, our clinic is a more convenient and affordable alternative to a hospital emergency room, with shorter wait times.
  • Comprehensive Care: We provide detailed instructions for home care, including how to clean and monitor the wound, and we are available for follow-up questions.

If you or a family member has been bitten by an animal, don’t wait. Visit LA Urgent Care immediately for professional and comprehensive care.