No matter how cute or tame your pet may be, you never know when they will come out with their animal instincts. The fact is that animals bite and getting bitten is no small matter. You might be risking any of the serious infections like rabies or bleeding.

Having knowledge about the first aid steps in case of an animal bite will go along way in managing the situation. Go through the following steps while dealing with an animal bite:

1. First of all calm the victim and make him sit or lie down in a comfortable position. This will restrict the progress of any possible infection that may have entered the bloodstream.

2. Check if the wound is a deep one or just a minor scratch. Remember to wash your hands carefully before and after taking care of the wound.

3. If the wound is minor, wash it with soap and water. Bandage the wound after applying an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.

4. For deep wounds, apply pressure above the wound with a clean bandage/cloth to stop the bleeding. Seek medical help for a serious case.

5. Apply ice wrapped in a towel if there is any swelling.

6. Check the nature of the animal, if it's pet or a stray animal. If it's a pet, know whether it's immunized or not. Know the date of immunization, which will be helpful information for the doctor.

7. If the animal is a wild or stray animal or has not been immunized, call your local animal control department.

8. Get a tetanus shot, if needed. Often, cat bite wounds need an antibiotic.

It's important to monitor the wound for a few days. Call for medical help if you see signs of the infection spreading.
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