Animal Bites

All animal bites need to be correctly cleaned, and most need treatment based on the type and severity of the wound. Whether the bite is from a family pet or an animal in the wild, scratches and bites can become infected and cause scarring. Animals can also carry diseases that can be transmitted through a bite. Bites that break the skin and bites on the scalp, face, hand, wrist, or foot are more likely to become infected. In general, cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites. Cat scratches, even from a kitten, can carry "cat scratch disease," a bacterial infection.

Other animals can transmit rabies and, in very rare cases, tetanus. Rodents, such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and rabbits, are at low risk of carrying rabies, but they can transmit other diseases.

The most common type of animal bite is a dog bite. Follow these guidelines to help decrease the chance of your child being bitten by an animal:

• Never leave a young child alone with an animal.
• Teach your child not to tease or hurt an animal.
• Teach your child to never play with or bother an animal when it is eating or sleeping.
• Teach your child to stay away from strange dogs, cats, and other animals.
• Have your pets licensed and immunized against rabies and other diseases.
• Keep your pets in a fenced yard or secured to a leash.

How to respond to dog or cat bites and scratches

When your child is bitten or scratched by an animal, remain calm and reassure your child that you can help. Your doctor will decide on specific treatment for an animal bite. Treatment may include:

• For superficial bites from a familiar household pet that is immunized and in good health:
• For deeper bites or puncture wounds from any animal, or for any bite from a strange animal:

Call your child's doctor for any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, malaise, decreased appetite, or swollen glands following an animal bite.