Most animal bites 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 of the scalp, face, hand, wrist, or foot are more likely to become infected. Cat scratches, even from a kitten, can carry "cat scratch disease," a bacterial infection.
Animals can transmit rabies and tetanus. Rodents, such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and rabbits, are at low risk of carrying rabies, but they may transmit other diseases. However, high-risk animals are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Contact your doctor right away if you have a bite from a high-risk animal.
The most common type of animal bite is a dog bite. But cat bites are much more likely to become infected than dog bites. This is because a cat's teeth can cause deep puncture wounds.
Follow these guidelines to help lower the chance of your child being bitten or scratched by an animal:
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Never leave a young child alone with an animal.
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Teach your child not to tease or hurt animals or bother them when they are eating or sleeping, even your family pets.
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Teach your child to stay away from strange dogs, cats, and other animals.
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Teach your child not to feed wild animals.
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Both adults and children should always ask the owner for permission to pet their animal. Ask even if you know their pet or if it has seemed friendly toward you in the past.
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If you or your child is confronted by an aggressive, fearful, or cornered animal:
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Move slowly. Do not run.
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Do not yell. Speak calmly and firmly.
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Do not make eye contact with the animal.
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Have your pets licensed and vaccinated against rabies and other diseases.
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Keep your pets in a fenced yard or secured to a leash.
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Always supervise or check on pet care jobs given to your child to make sure that they are carried out.
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Report stray dogs, cats, or other animals in your neighborhood.
