- Definition
What are pet bites?
Most of the animal bites that occur are from dogs or cats. Pets that are kept in a small room (such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and white mice) do not usually have a risk of developing rabies. Dogs and cats in many metropolitan areas may be free of rabies. The main risk in pet bites is a possible serious wound infection, not rabies.
The infection produced by a cat bite is five times more severe than a dog bite. A cat puncture wound is more likely to produce infection. Cat scratch wounds are treated in the same way as bite wounds because they are both contaminated with saliva.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Signs and symptoms that indicate that the bite wound has become infected include:
- Redness and swelling around the wound site
- The wound became more painful
- Liquid or pus appears from the wound site
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever of 38 ° C or more
- Shivering
- How to fix it
What should I do?
First Aid for Puncture Wounds or Deep Wounds
Wash the area with liquid soap and running water for 10 minutes before going to the doctor. Also check your child's immunization status to check if he or she has had the tetanus vaccine.
Minor scratches or cuts
For wounds that do not penetrate the skin, wash the area with plenty of water and liquid soap for 5 minutes. You can leave the scar in the air, or put a bandage / bandage over it for 12 hours if the area is easily dirty. You don't need to give an antiseptic.
For Pets
If it is possible that your pet has rabies, your pets should be observed for signs of disease and isolate them from contact with humans for 10 days. If the biting animal belongs to another family and they don't care or don't want to help, report the incident to the police so they can deal with the matter. Currently, too many pets are allowed to roam without the supervision of their owners, so their risk of being exposed to disease is quite high.
When should I see a doctor?
Call your doctor immediately if:
- Teeth or claws penetrate the skin. Remember: cat bites on hands can become infected quickly and need immediate attention.
- The skin is torn and may need stitches
- There are superficial wounds and the biting animal appears to be sick, or if the attack of the animal is unreasonable, or the biting animal is wild / street animals
- There are superficial wounds and the biting animal doesn't get the rabies vaccine. (Exception: if the dog bites because he is invited to joke and is scared.)
Most animal bites should be assessed because the wound remains susceptible to infection.
Although not as urgent as the symptoms above, you should still see a doctor when:
- The wound starts to become infected
- The pain increased after the second day
- Redness increases after the second day
- You feel the condition is getting worse
- Prevention
- Choose a pet that is friendly and safe to play with children.
- Teach your dog commands such as "shut up" and "sit down." Then teach your child to give this command.
- Teach your child not to touch strange animals, ask for jokes, approach a dog that is eating, or touch a sleeping dog.
- Children under 4 years of age should always be supervised when playing around dogs and cats. Don't let them tease pets.
- Infants under 1 year old should not be left alone in the room with pets. Reported cases indicate that most children were attacked possibly because the pet was feeling jealous. There are reports that newborns are crushed by cats.
- Protect your pet by regularly giving rabies vaccines every year. The first vaccine is usually given when your pet is 3 to 4 months old.
- Teach your child not to run away from stray dogs. Quick and sudden movements can trigger a dog's predatory instincts.
- Do not keep wild animals as pets. For example, ferrets often cause bite wounds on the faces of children.
