For dog bites in Punggol, wash the wound straight away and thoroughly with soap and water, then see a doctor. Report the bite to AVS on 1800 476 1600. For a bee sting, scrape the stinger off. Call 995 for any breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat.
A bite or sting is a shock, especially when it is your child. The steps below are short, and they tell you which bites and stings need more than a clinic visit.
This page is part of eduKate Punggol’s When You Need Help in Punggol, our practical guides for life’s occasions, big and small. It covers first aid for dog bites and other animal bites, bee and wasp stings, insect bites and snake bites, when to see a GP or go to A&E, and how to report a bite.
Quick answer
- Dog or other animal bite or scratch: wash it immediately and thoroughly with soap and water, then see a doctor.
- Report it: AVS’s Animal Response Centre, 1800 476 1600, listed as 24 hours, or its online form.
- Bee or wasp sting: scrape the stinger off with a fingernail or card edge, wash with soap and water, and apply a cloth soaked in cold water.
- Call 995 for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or collapse after a sting or bite.
- Snake bite: AVS says seek medical attention immediately.
- Where to go: a GP for any animal bite; Sengkang General Hospital’s 24-hour A&E for deep wounds or severe reactions.
What to Do First After Dog Bites and Scratches
These steps follow AVS (part of NParks), the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) and SingHealth’s GPFirst advice.
- Wash the wound at once. AVS says bites and scratches “should be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap and water”.
- If it is bleeding, press gently. SingHealth’s GPFirst advice for wounds is gentle direct pressure with a clean cloth, and A&E if a deep wound will not stop bleeding.
- See a doctor. SingHealth says to see a GP if you were bitten by an animal, and HealthHub says the same for children. CDA says “Seek medical attention immediately.”
- Check your tetanus status. SingHealth says a dirty wound needs a GP if you have not had a tetanus booster in the last 5 years.
- Report the bite to AVS. AVS asks for bites to be reported “as soon as possible” on 1800 476 1600.
- Watch the wound over the next few days. Go back to a doctor if bleeding or discharge persists, pain or redness gets worse, or a fever develops.
Go to A&E rather than a GP, says SingHealth, if fat, tendon, muscle or bone is visible, if something may be stuck in the wound, or if painful swelling of a limb affects movement.
Where to Go and Who to Call
| Who | Where and contact | Hours | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCDF ambulance | 995 | 24 hours | Breathing difficulty, face or throat swelling, or collapse after a bite or sting. |
| AVS Animal Response Centre | 1800 476 1600, or the AVS online feedback form | Listed as 24 hours | Reporting a dog or other animal bite, and injured, trapped or distressed snakes. |
| 24-hour and late-night GP clinics in Punggol | See our late-night GP guide | Varies by clinic | Any animal bite, dirty wounds, tetanus checks, and stings that are not improving. |
| Sengkang General Hospital Emergency Department | 110 Sengkang East Way, Singapore 544886. Tel 6930 5000 (24-hour general line). Sengkang MRT (NE16) Exit D, about 400m. | 24 hours | Deep bites, severe sting reactions, multiple stings, snake bites. Under-16s may be transferred to KKH. |
| Children’s emergency departments | KKH and NUH. See our child’s fever guide for addresses. | Both 24 hours | Children with serious bites or sting reactions. |
| NurseFirst | 6262 6262 | 24 hours, daily | Advice when you are unsure. |
| Bee or hornet nest in a common area | See our pests guide | — | Who removes hives near your block. |
Checked October 2026 — confirm on the official page before you go: AVS contact page, AVS rabies page and SKH Emergency Medicine.
Which Situation Fits You
Bitten by a dog in Singapore
AVS and CDA both say Singapore has been rabies-free since 1953. That does not mean you skip the doctor: the wound still needs checking for infection and tetanus. AVS says that if there is any concern the animal may be rabid, the patient should be referred to a public hospital. If the dog is your own or a neighbour’s, our pet licensing guide explains the HDB and licence rules.
Bitten or scratched overseas
AVS notes that rabies is still present in the region. CDA says that if you are bitten or scratched in a country where rabies is found, consult a doctor immediately about whether you need post-exposure treatment. A rabies vaccine before the trip does not replace that treatment.
A bee or wasp sting
HealthHub says to remove the stinger as soon as possible by gently scraping it off with a fingernail or the edge of a card. Do not pinch it out with your fingers or tweezers, which may spread the venom. Wash with soap and water, then apply a clean cloth soaked in cold water, or an ice pack wrapped in a towel, as SingHealth suggests. Avoid scratching. A pharmacist can advise on relief for pain or itching.
SGH emergency doctors warn that a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can follow a single sting, so know the danger signs listed further down this page.
Itchy insect bites on a child
KKH suggests cool compresses, and warns that scratching can lead to open, oozing, infected wounds. Keep nails short. To prevent bites, KKH suggests insect repellent and protective clothing, avoiding insect-heavy parks and beaches around dawn and dusk, and emptying stagnant water.
A snake bite on a park walk
AVS says: “If you have been bitten by a snake, seek medical attention immediately.” So call 995 or see a doctor straight away, and call 995 at once if there is any difficulty breathing or swallowing.
If you meet a snake, AVS says to stay calm and back away slowly to give it space, and to keep pets on a tight leash. Our park walk emergency plan covers getting help on Punggol’s trails.
When a Sting Needs a Doctor or A&E
Go to A&E, says SingHealth, if someone was stung three or more times, stung in the mouth, has swelling elsewhere on the body such as the mouth or face, or has whole-body symptoms: difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, a fast heart rate, giddiness, confusion or agitation, or pale skin.
See a doctor, says HealthHub, if the sting is not improving after a few days or is getting worse, if you have had an allergic reaction to a sting before, if there is pus or fever, if swelling or redness is spreading, if there are flu-like symptoms or swollen glands, or if the sting was in the mouth, throat or near the eyes.
On costs, Sengkang General Hospital’s A&E attendance fee is S$171 from 1 October 2025, and MediSave cannot be used for the emergency bill. If a participating GP refers you there with an original GPFirst Referral Form, you get $50 off. “Insect Bites & Stings” and “Cuts & Open Wounds” are both on the GPFirst list of conditions a GP can treat.
Neighbour’s Tips
- Scrape, do not squeeze. Keep an old card in your wallet for bee stings.
- Soap first, questions later. Wash every animal bite thoroughly before anything else.
- Save the AVS number. 1800 476 1600 takes bite reports, and calls about injured, trapped or distressed snakes.
- Keep your dog close. AVS advises keeping pets on a tight leash around snakes. Our dog walking guide covers Punggol’s leash rules.
- Bitten on holiday? See a doctor about rabies treatment straight away, even if you were vaccinated.
- Know your allergy. If you have reacted badly to a sting before, HealthHub says to see a doctor after any new sting.
If It’s Urgent or Gets Worse
Call 995 for a severe allergic reaction with difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, face or throat, or collapse. HealthHub lists anaphylaxis among its 995 emergencies, and MOH lists breathlessness and loss of consciousness. Other signs of a severe reaction, such as a whole-body itchy rash, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, vomiting or stomach pain, need medical attention immediately, says HealthHub. SGH emergency doctors say to go to hospital right away for multiple stings or signs of whole-body poisoning.
Since 1 June 2025, MOH has been transferring 995 calls that are not life-threatening to NurseFirst (6262 6262) between 8am and 11pm, so describe the breathing and swelling clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to see a doctor for a small dog bite?
Yes. SingHealth and HealthHub both say to see a doctor if an animal caused the wound, even a small one.
Do I need a rabies jab after a dog bite in Singapore?
Singapore has been rabies-free since 1953, so your doctor will decide. AVS says anyone with a bite from an animal that may be rabid should be referred to a public hospital. After a bite overseas, see a doctor immediately.
Should I report a dog bite?
Yes. AVS asks for bites to be reported as soon as possible on 1800 476 1600, or through its online form.
How do I take out a bee sting?
Scrape it off gently with a fingernail or a card edge. Do not pinch it with fingers or tweezers.
When is a sting an emergency?
Call 995 for breathing difficulty, swelling of the face or throat, or collapse. Go to A&E for three or more stings, a sting in the mouth, or vomiting, giddiness or confusion.
Do I need a tetanus jab after a bite?
Ask the GP. SingHealth says a dirty wound needs a GP visit if you have not had a tetanus booster in the last 5 years.
More Help on eduKate Punggol
- Pests in common areas: who to call about hives, rats and more.
- Park walk emergency plan: myResponder, first aid and weather.
- Cats, dogs and HDB pet licensing
- Dog walking in Punggol: paths, dog runs and leash rules.
- Spotting otters, birds and monitor lizards on the Waterway
- Official: AVS: rabies · CDA: rabies · HealthHub: insect bites and stings
Back Outdoors
Punggol’s parks and waterways are full of life, and that is part of the joy of living here. Wash, check, report if needed, and you can head back out with confidence.
And if your family is also looking for calm, small-group English, Mathematics or Science, eduKate Punggol teaches classes of three in Punggol. Come find out more: Book a consultation · Chat on WhatsApp
eduKate Punggol
Small-group English, Mathematics and Science
Primary and Secondary
By appointment · +65 8823 1234
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Checked October 2026. Addresses, opening hours, fees and rules change, so please confirm with the official source before you go.
