Being bitten by a dog or cat is another common accident, especially in young children who are playful by nature and often become regular targets of these pets’ bites.
As parents or guardians, instructing children to play carefully is the first thing to instill regarding potential dangers. However, when an incident does occur, stay calm and then proceed step-by-step as follows.
Cleaning the wound is the first and most urgent thing to do using clean water and soap, which are easily available in every household. Gently wash the entire area thoroughly, reaching deep into the wound several times. Then assess the severity of the wound.
Visual assessment can classify the wound into 3 levels
- The first level is no wound, no blood, or abrasions. The skin can be cleaned with alcohol swabs and antiseptics such as povidone-iodine by yourself.
- The second level is scratches that may come from teeth or nails but without bleeding.
- The final level is a clearly visible wound with bleeding and direct contact with the animal’s saliva.
For levels two and three, after initial first aid, promptly see a doctor because these symptoms require medical judgment. This also applies to receiving rabies vaccination, which is divided into two types: the rabies vaccine, administered continuously 4–5 times within one month, and the antitoxin protein that directly neutralizes the toxin. Receiving this vaccine is very important for patients to strictly follow. Missing even one dose will reduce immunity effectiveness and require restarting the vaccination series. The immunity will last a lifetime.
However, if bitten again by a dog or cat within 6 months after vaccination, a booster shot is required. If more than 6 months have passed, two booster shots are needed. Patients must record the vaccination dates to confirm with the doctor for further treatment planning.
Precautions: People are at high risk of being bitten by dogs or cats in many situations, such as accidentally (or intentionally) stepping on the animal’s body, legs, or tail; intervening in animals that are fighting; provoking animals; taking food while the animal is eating; or approaching unfamiliar animals.
Because we can never know how dangerous a cute pet, which has been a companion to humans throughout history, can be to us, it is best to be cautious, stay mindful, and think carefully before any unexpected incident occurs.
