In general about animal bites in children
Children risk being bitten when they are playing with animals.
The most common bites are dog and cat bites, but children can also be bitten by other pets, farm animals or wild animals. Unfortunately, children can also be bitten by other children.
Although most bites are not dangerous, you must always take this type of injury seriously.
Whenever a child is bitten, and the skin is broken, you should seek medical advice because there is a danger of infection from the bite wound.
Hands and forearms are the parts most commonly injured by animal bites.
Bite wounds can vary from small wounds to deep, bleeding wounds with damage to tendons and muscles.
Complications of animal bites
Bite injuries are commonly categorized as superficial or deep wounds.
Deep wounds, where the animal's teeth have deeply penetrated the skin, are at greatest risk of infection. All bites should be treated by a doctor.
Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth and pain. Pus may also start to run from the wound.
The most dangerous complication of animal bites is rabies, a serious viral infection that affects the nervous system.
The chance of infection is greatest if the child has been bitten by a bat, raccoon, skunk, fox or other large wild animal.
Smaller wild animals such as mice, rats, moles, gophers and rabbits are not thought to transmit rabies.
In some countries, dogs and cats can also carry rabies infection. It is important to be aware of this when traveling abroad or to other parts of the US.
All dogs and cats in the U.S. should be vaccinated against rabies.
