Contents:
Medical Video: Treatment of Pet Bites
- Definition
Is that a pet bite?
Most animal bites that occur are from dogs or cats. Pets placed in small spaces (such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and white mice) usually do not have the risk of rabies. Dogs and cats in many metropolitan areas may be free of rabies. The main risk in pet bites is a serious wound infection that may arise, not rabies.
Infections produced by cat bites are five times more severe than dog bites. Cat claw puncture wounds are more likely to produce infection. Cat scars 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 been infected include:
- Redness and swelling around the site of the wound
- The wound becomes more painful
- Liquid or pus emerges from the wound site
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever around 38 ° C or more
- Shivering
- How to overcome
What should I do?
First Aid for Stab Wounds or Deep Wounds
Wash the injured area with liquid soap and running water for 10 minutes before you go to the doctor. Also check your child's immunization status to check if he has received the tetanus vaccine.
Minor scratches or wounds
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 exposed to the air, or place a bandage / bandage over it for 12 hours if the area being injured is easily dirty. You don't need to give an antiseptic.
For pets
If it is possible for your pet to have rabies, your pet must be observed to see signs of disease and isolate them from contact with humans for 10 days. If animals that bite are belonging to another family and they do not care or do not want to help, report the incident to the police so that they can handle this problem. At present there are too many pets left to roam without the supervision of their owners so that their risk of being exposed to the disease is quite high.
When do I have to see a doctor?
Contact your doctor immediately if:
- Teeth or claws penetrate the skin. Remember: cat bites on your hands can get infected quickly and need immediate attention.
- The skin is torn and may need stitches
- There are shallow wounds and animals that bite seem to be sick, or if an animal attack is unwarranted, or animals that bite are wild / street animals
- There are superficial wounds and biting animals don't get the rabies vaccine. (Exception: if the dog bites because he is invited to joke and fear.)
Most animal bites should be examined because the wound remains susceptible to infection.
Even if it's not as severe as the symptoms above, you should still see a doctor when:
- Wounds begin 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 foreign animals, take jokes, approach dogs that eat, or touch sleeping dogs.
- Children under the age of 4 must always be monitored when playing around dogs and cats. Don't let them tease pets.
- Babies under 1 year must not be left alone in a room with a pet. Some reported cases indicate that most children are attacked as possible because pets feel jealous. There are reports that the newborn baby is crushed by a cat.
- 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 wild dogs. Quick and sudden movements can trigger dog predatory instincts.
- Do not store wild animals as pets. For example, ferrets often cause bite wounds on children's faces.
