The consequences of any animal bite that breaks the skin can be severe, but they’re particularly dangerous for incidents involving wildlife. Raccoons, squirrels, and other wild animals have a higher risk of carrying life-threatening diseases like rabies. If you are bitten, the experts at American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services in New Milford, CT, say it’s critical to take precautions and seek medical treatment as soon as possible. These animal control professionals provide ethical removal services for a broad range of creatures, including raccoons and bats, and share tips to help you deal with a bite.

Wild animals like raccoons, squirrels, and rodents often carry bacteria in their mouths that can cause infections or spread diseases. The greatest danger they present is rabies, which causes brain inflammation that can be fatal if you don’t receive proper treatment.

If a wild animal bites you, animal control experts recommend cleaning the wound immediately with soap and warm water. Rinse the injured area under running water for several minutes after you wash it. You also can apply an antibiotic cream to reduce your risk of developing an infection. If you experience heavy bleeding, put a sterile pad over the wound and apply pressure.

Once you have cleaned and bandaged the wound, seek medical attention. Any bite that pierces the skin should be checked by a medical professional to ensure it doesn’t become infected. If you come into contact with a wild animal, doctors recommend you have an examination even if there's no apparent break in your skin because bites from many creatures — especially bats — can go undetected. If the creature that bit you seemed particularly aggressive, call an animal removal company to handle the problem.  

If you have an encounter with a wild animal, seek medical treatment as soon as possible, then arrange for removal services to prevent future issues. For humane animal control in Connecticut’s Litchfield, Fairfield, and New Haven counties, turn to American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services. Call (860) 355-1231 to speak with a business representative and visit their website for information about their services, including raccoon removal and bat control. Like them on Facebook for more tips and news from the company.