First Aid on Animal Bites The most common animal bites are from dogs and cats. Less common, but often more dangerous, are bites from rats and other animals that live in the wild. The health risks of an animal bite depend on the animal and how serious the bite is. Has the man been bitten by a snake known to be poisonous or are you unsure whether the snake is poisonous or not Get Emergency Care (Do so within four hours of the bite) and do first aid before emergency care: ·calm the man and have him rest as much as possible ·wash the bite site with soap and water ·keep the bite site level with or just below the level of the heart ·keep the bite site still Don’ts: ·apply cold or ice to the bite ·cut the bite site ·apply a bandage to the bite site How should the bite site be washed It should be washed with ______.