If a child is bitten by a pet. What to do if a child is bitten by an animal. Symptoms and diagnosis of bites

Kids actively explore the world and are especially interested in . How can you avoid pulling a cat's tail or hugging a dog? Unfortunately, not all animals want to communicate and tolerate such treatment, and feral dogs or cats can be dangerous - aggressive or sick. Let’s talk in more detail about the consequences of careless communication with animals for a child.

Children receive the greatest amount from dogs, suffer less from cats, and in third place are wild animals and other pets - mice, rats, birds, turtles, etc.

Dog bites in children.

Keeping dogs in an apartment or private house is not uncommon, including in families with children. An animal in the house provides many positive aspects for a child - both psychological and educational aspects, but dogs, cats and other animals are not toys, they have their own character and often dangerous incidents arise between them and the child, animals bite or scratch babies .
The percentage of children bitten by animals ranges from 10 to 40%. Some parents do not seek help from doctors, and cases are not recorded. Serious wounds occur in only 1% of cases and require hospitalization and surgery. Most bites occur in children under 15 years of age; children aged 1 to 4 years and from 10 to 12-13 are especially often bitten, especially among boys. Most often, bites are observed in the warm season, especially from May to September. Pets bite, or animals of friends, relatives, or guests. Dogs in parks, forests or on the street account for no more than 15-20% of bites. For the most part, children who are not supervised by their parents are bitten; in more than half of the cases, the child played alone with a dog or cat, and in 25% also in a separate room.

Why do children get bitten?

When it comes to dog bites, and they occur most often, there are four groups of reasons for animal attacks on children. First of all, animals attack out of fear, defending themselves. This happens when children try to play with an animal, pull on fur or limbs, or cause pain, and the animal cannot escape from the child or run away. A dog that is attached can bite if a child tries to hug, kiss, pull its paws, or if he pulls its tail or takes its place.
The second reason for aggression may be a change in the family hierarchy, when a child appears in a family that already had a dog or cat. Then the child acts as an object of jealousy and aggression, since he takes the place of an animal in communication. In addition, this happens in families where little time and attention was devoted to raising and training animals. If the child's crib was placed where a cat or dog liked to sleep, this aggravates its aggression.
The third situation is the aggression of an animal that is sick, expecting offspring, or already has cubs. A pregnant or lactating female is usually irritated, and if the animal is in pain and the child increases the pain, the animal is capable of aggression. Usually the animal is initially unfriendly, avoids contact and leaves. but children are often slow-witted and persistent.
The fourth reason is pathological education and behavior, baiting the animal, training defects, or disturbances in the dog’s brain function, leading to unmotivated aggression (tumors, injuries, encephalitis).
People usually turn to doctors for help because of bites from large dogs: these are mainly German shepherds, crosses with them, as well as fighting breeds - Rottweilers, pit bull terriers, Dobermans, bullmastiffs and others. Terriers, cocker spaniels, Labradors and dachshunds bite less often. Young animals are considered the most aggressive, especially males; females can be dangerous during estrus or when pregnant. You should be wary of stray dogs if they gather in a pack; they practically do not attack alone.

Location and severity of the lesion.

The location of the bites depends on the age of the baby and his behavior. Small children are usually bitten in the face area - cheeks, nose, lips, eyelids, then the back of the head, neck and arms. In older children, these are usually the legs, arms, and back, but multiple injuries are also possible, especially if the dog has attacked more than once.
Most bites are not severe, isolated, and do not require medical intervention or treatment. Serious injuries occur in only a small percentage of cases. Most of them occur in the face and neck area. If they are disfiguring or disfiguring, plastic surgery may be required. Usually these are linear or lacerated wounds, painful and accompanied by the loss of part of the skin or even muscle. Most often, skin lesions are superficial, but in the facial area they can be penetrating, with part of the skin being torn off, in which case wound treatment and suturing are necessary. In any case, if a child has been bitten by a dog, it is necessary to consult a doctor: not all damage is visible to the naked eye, and a small wound can be dangerous and deep.

What to do if a child is bitten?

The biggest problem with bites is delay in seeking medical help. If your child is bitten by a dog, immediately take him to the nearest emergency room or pediatric surgery. During initial treatment of the wound, the doctor will ask you about the circumstances of the injury and especially about the type of animal. It is important whether it is wild or domestic, whether you know the owner in order to find out from him information about vaccinations, especially against rabies and distemper. It is necessary to tell in detail whether the animal was aggressive initially or whether it was provoked by the child, what vaccinations the baby himself has (especially DPT and whether all of them have been completed).
During the examination, the size and depth of the bite is clarified, whether nerves and vessels, tendons are affected, whether the joints are intact, whether sutures or surgery are required. The baby is carefully examined (especially the head area), since there can be many bites and not all the child can show, he is reassured, and if necessary, local or general anesthesia is given. Bites on the face are moderate or even severe, as they lead to aesthetic and sometimes functional defects and bring a lot of suffering to the child.
Emergency care for a bite includes disinfecting the wound if it is small. It is thoroughly washed under running water and soap, and then the wound is treated with antiseptic solutions - hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or iodine. This rinsing reduces the amount of saliva in the wound and reduces infection. The child must be calmed down and given warm water to drink if he is excited. For pain in the wound area, you can give Nurofen or paracetamol. Then go to the hospital immediately!

Rabies infection.

The bites are painful and unpleasant, but the wounds heal. The greater danger is the possibility of infecting a child with rabies, for which there is no cure - only timely administered serum can save the patient. Let's dwell on this in detail.
Rabies is an acute viral disease that affects animals and people, and the virus is transmitted through saliva by biting or salivating on damaged skin or mucous membranes. It causes progressive, irreversible, fatal damage to the nervous system. Rabies is not uncommon; in Russia it is found everywhere, especially in forests where there are many wild animals - foxes, raccoons, hedgehogs, wolves. Pets and even poultry suffer. Quite a number of people die from rabies every year. They become infected as a result of bites from wild or domestic animals.
Symptoms in an animal are not always clearly expressed, since the incubation period of rabies can last from a week to several years. The animal becomes contagious 5-10 days before the first manifestations of the disease. His behavior changes dramatically - evil animals become affectionate, animated for no reason, and try to lick their owners’ faces; if the animal was kind, it may become angry or irritable, hide, swallow inedible objects, refusing its usual food. Wild animals calmly approach people. Remember: a healthy wild animal never goes into the arms or even approaches a person - it flees! Prohibit your child from approaching any animals in the forest.
The initial stage gives way to excitement. The aggressiveness of the animal increases, it bites, rushes, attacks other animals and people, refuses to eat and drink, barks or meows hoarsely, saliva flows vigorously and foams. The animal then enters a paralytic stage - the fur stands on end, the jaw drops, the tongue falls out and saliva drips from the mouth. The animal dies by 8-10 days of illness.

The course of rabies in humans.

Not everyone is equally susceptible to rabies; it all depends on the characteristics of the body, the location of the bite and immunity. For children, rabies is most dangerous due to the structure of their skin and immunity.
Viruses remain at the site of introduction for several days, spreading through nerve fibers throughout the nervous system. The process develops most quickly with bites on the face, neck and hands. The incubation period can last from a week to three months, very rarely longer. The clinical picture is divided into periods. The initial stage lasts from a day to three days, signs are mainly found at the site of injury - scars or the wound swells again, redness, itching and pain appear. Headache and malaise, dry mouth and decreased appetite may occur. There is hypersensitivity to light and sounds, sometimes an unpleasant sensation in the heart or chest. The temperature increase is slight - from 37 to 38 degrees. Patients are scared, anxious, sleep poorly, may experience nausea and vomiting, and sweating. After a few days, excitement sets in - first in the form of anxiety, then breathing and swallowing disorders. Hydrophobia appears - when trying to give something to drink, the sight of water or the sound of its flow, attacks of panic and horror occur with spasms of the pharynx and larynx. There may also be aerophobia - fear of air and wind, photophobia - fear of light, acoustophobia - fear of sounds. An increase in respiratory and cardiac dysfunction is accompanied by severe convulsions, aggressiveness appears, patients rush and try to bite, and hallucinations are noted. This stage either ends with death from convulsions, or lasts up to 6 days and becomes terminal - the patient calms down, begins to eat and drink, breathes easier, fears are replaced by detachment, lethargy, apathy, profuse salivation, paralysis. Death occurs from cardiac or respiratory arrest.
There is no specific treatment against the rabies virus; the condition of patients can only be slightly alleviated. They are isolated; staff work with them only in special protective suits. If infected saliva gets on the skin, emergency prevention is necessary. The prognosis for the development of the disease is deplorable; no cases of recovery from rabies have been recorded.

Prevention of rabies bites.

If a child is bitten or even scratched by an animal (especially a wild or stray one), even if it appears healthy, immediately wash the wound with soap, hold under running water for at least ten minutes, apply a bandage and consult a doctor.
At the emergency room, tell us how the contact with the animal occurred and provide all the information you know about it. If there is a risk of rabies infection, the edges of the wound are not excised or sutured (only for health reasons), this contributes to the spread of the virus.
A course of vaccinations against rabies is prescribed based on clinical data if there is a risk of infection. Vaccination is not necessary if the bite is small, the person bitten is vaccinated against rabies, or if the injury was caused by a vaccinated pet. If the area is free from rabies, and the animal can be caught and observed, vaccination will also be postponed.
If the animal is wild, behaved strangely or died, a course against rabies must be carried out completely and completely. The vaccines used are CAV and COCAV, as well as RIBAVAK. Courses vary, but usually they consist of 6 injections, which are administered on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90. The vaccine is administered into the shoulder, 1 ml, and for bites to the head and wild animals, anti-rabies immunoglobulin is additionally administered. Rabies vaccinations are provided free of charge at any emergency room.

© 2011
The article was written specifically for the website portal
Copying and quoting is permitted only with the written permission of the copyright holders.

“Buy a dog!” - the child begs. He promises to always, always obey, not bite his nails, clean up his toys, and study well at the same time. You are a reasonable person, so you don’t believe a single word. But month after month passes, and the pressure does not weaken. “Well, let’s buy someone already!” – one of the adult family members finally gives in. Although we are still not talking about a dog - there is too much fuss. Then the main dog substitutes come to the rescue - pets, size XS. Choose together with your child!

Hamsters
Chinese, Djungarian, Syrian - there are all sorts of hamsters. But they need almost the same conditions and food.

These cheekies are very independent. They like a separate living space, so that there are no neighbors. An uninvited guest, placed by the owner “so that the little one wouldn’t be bored,” can be chewed to death by the toothy little one. Well, or vice versa, the newcomer will finish off his new friend. Do you need it? But the feeling of loneliness is also not good for the hamster. That is, the cage must be spacious, but in moderation, otherwise the poor thing will get lost in it.

How long do they live: about two to three years, some centenarians up to five.

What they eat: mainly grains (special mixtures are sold in pet stores), lettuce, vegetables and fruits. They eat carrots, beets, pears, apples, but cabbage and potatoes are harmful to them. Hamsters also need protein - meat, cottage cheese, but not more than twice a week. Offer your hamster a twig of linden or birch, and he will understand you correctly - he needs to grind his teeth.

Attention! Do not bathe your baby in water, he may catch a cold. Place a plastic box with sand in the cage where your pet will clean its fur.

Guinea pigs

The ancient Incas were pragmatic people and tamed these rodents not for the sake of a pretty face, but to eat them. Well, and also sacrifice to the gods. You can still find guinea pig dishes in restaurants in Peru and Ecuador. True, the animal received this name only in our country. They nicknamed him Pig because he can squeal as well as a pig. And since it was brought to Europe, and then to Russia from South America, the Russians began to call it overseas, or sea. Pigs come in different breeds - long-haired, completely hairless, similar to Sphynx cats, and wire-haired.

Your pet prefers to live in a cage with a plastic tray, which needs to be cleaned regularly.

How long do they live: with good care 5-10 years.

What they eat: Guinea pigs need a lot of hay, greens and vegetables. They also eat grain mixtures from pet stores. There is no need to give the animals milk or cottage cheese - they are lactose intolerant. Meat will also give them nothing but an upset stomach.

Attention! Don't stop pigs from eating their droppings. Vitamins of groups B and K are absorbed only after passing through the stomach again. So if you find it unpleasant to watch, turn away.

Degu

This animal came to us from Chile; it cannot stand the cold. The ideal temperature for him is +25C, and make sure that the cage is not in a draft. Moreover, if he lives in it alone, he will soon become sad and wither - these animals love communication, they need company.

How long do they live: 5 years.

What they eat: Never give degus food for other rodents. As a last resort, for chinchillas, but the most proper nutrition for degus is special food sold in pet stores. Also, the animal must be given hay and greens. Keep in mind that all degus are prone to diabetes due to problems absorbing sugar. Under no circumstances give the animal sweets or even fruits! Treats for degus: chokeberries, blueberries, cranberries.

Attention! Degus love the smell of cigarettes, so when you let the animal out for a walk, make sure that it doesn’t get to the pack.

Chinchillas

These fluffies look like both a squirrel and a rabbit. They have thick, beautiful fur, and to keep it that way, the animal needs to bathe in the sand. His large cage should also contain a special hard stone for grinding teeth and wooden sticks.

How long do they live: about 10-15 years, some up to 20.

What they eat: granulate, hay, fruit, bread crusts. In winter, you can give them dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, prunes).

Attention! It is better not to walk with chinchillas on the street, where they can easily pick up some kind of infection. Maximum - balcony or loggia. The animals also shed a lot, the whole room will be covered in fur, and are susceptible to the harmful effects of Wi-Fi (they say they even die).

Rabbits
It doesn't matter what breed of rabbit you prefer - a fold-eared ram or an Angora, or maybe a lion's head. Recommendations for care are almost the same: if it’s a cage, then a very spacious one, or better yet, a whole room; if you go for a walk, then use a harness and leash.

How long do they live: 5-7 years.

What they eat: rabbit diet - hay, special grain mixtures, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots. In spring, include dandelion leaves in your diet. Make sure that no leaves of other grass get into the bouquet for the eared one, otherwise it will be poisoned. Rabbits should not be given cabbage or nuts.

Attention! Rabbits do not like to be petted under the chin - they immediately begin to bite.

Ferrets

Many years ago, in the homes of Italy and Spain, ferrets were adopted instead of cats; they even went rabbit hunting with them. If you decide to buy such a cute little animal, keep in mind that this is a burrowing animal that constantly tries to crawl into any crevice, or, even better, to get stuck in it. Puppies are terribly curious and try to taste everything. And it doesn’t matter to him that you haven’t even opened this mascara yet, and the owner of the house hasn’t had time to print out this latest magazine. And don’t forget to hide the wires, otherwise you will be left without a computer and TV.

The ferret cannot sit in a cage all the time; he needs to move around the entire apartment or at least one room. But the animal will still need a house for shelter. Just like the toilet tray, which he needs to be accustomed to from childhood.

You can bathe your ferret, but not more than once or twice a month.

How long do they live: on average 8-10 years.

What they eat: Ferrets are predators, so the basis of their diet is meat (mainly boiled chicken or turkey, pork and lamb are prohibited). You also need to give vegetables, sometimes cottage cheese, excluding all salty, sweet and milk. The animal will be extremely grateful to you if you treat it with a ferret treat: a frog or worms. Om-Nom-nom!

Attention! Never leave your ferret under air conditioning or in a car in the sun - they cannot tolerate either hypothermia or overheating.

Alexandra Ulyanova

If your baby is bitten by a domestic or wild animal, you should immediately take action, especially if it is not just a scratch, but a full-fledged wound through which the animal’s saliva has entered.

You should begin providing first aid immediately, without hoping that you may be lucky and nothing bad will happen.

What should parents do if their baby is bitten by domestic or wild animals?

First you need to stop the bleeding, if there is any. After this, it is necessary to treat the wound and apply a tight bandage to it. Here you need to pay attention to several important points. First of all, you should carefully treat not just the wound itself, but also the area around it using a soap solution. This must be done even if the skin is not damaged.

Before applying a bandage to the bite site, you should lubricate it with a special antibacterial ointment. Finally, a bandage is applied, but not hermetically; it is not recommended to seal the wound with a plaster.

The danger of a wound caused by an animal lies in the fact that after a bite there is a chance of infecting the baby with bacteria, which are contained in large quantities in the animal’s saliva. The most dangerous diseases that can be contracted from animals are tetanus and rabies.

Therefore, if the baby was bitten by an animal, breaking the skin, or there was a wound on the body and the animal’s saliva got there, then it is necessary to urgently go to a medical facility. Of course, there are times when you can do it on your own without visiting a specialist. These include the case if the baby was bitten by an animal, in the purity and health of which you are one hundred percent sure, in addition, there is no reason to worry if the bite did not harm the baby’s skin.

A number of such cases require emergency medical care:

The animal injured the child in the neck, arms or face;

If after the bite you notice any signs of infection of the wound with bacteria (redness appears, the bitten area swells, the pain intensifies, the temperature rises, and pus oozes from the wound;

If you know for sure that the baby has not been vaccinated against tetanus.

It should be clearly understood that rabies is a very dangerous disease, but it can be prevented if a vaccine is given in a timely manner, but if a person gets sick, there is simply no chance of survival. This fact alone is enough not to neglect the danger if the bite is committed by stray or unfamiliar animals.

Now it would be appropriate to talk about the fact that a healthy pet will never just attack a person. Naturally, if a child approached a strange dog and began to pull its fur, stick its fingers in its nose or pull its ear, tried to take food, or took the puppy away from its mother, then in this case there is a risk that the animal will attack the child.

And the animal is absolutely not to blame for anything, since it protects what is dear to it.

Therefore, you just need to keep an eye on your child and prohibit him from contacting other people’s pets.

But if the animal attacks for no apparent reason, then this is the first sign that the animal is unhealthy. The risk of contracting a dangerous disease from such an animal is much higher than from a calm and non-aggressive one. Even if the animal that bit the baby is small and harmless, it still poses a danger.

Wild animals are even more dangerous. It should be said that an adequate animal will not approach a person of its own free will, wagging its tail or expressing affection. Therefore, if you are relaxing at the edge of the forest and see that a fox or a badger is approaching you, then you need to run away and hide from the beast. Since he is most likely sick, since if he were healthy, he would not go to his enemy - man.

It should be said that you cannot become infected with rabies from fish or turtles, since only warm-blooded animals are susceptible to this disease.

Therefore, if during a walk your baby is attacked by an animal and leaves a wound, you should immediately go to the doctor. Experts also advise observing the animal that bit you, of course, if there is such an opportunity. But this does not mean that you do not need to go to the hospital. You should observe for at least ten days. You need this in order to monitor his behavior. If the animal eats adequately, eats well and drinks, then it is healthy. And the owner of the animal that attacked is obliged to show the pet to the veterinarian, and immediately.

In order to avoid danger you need to follow certain rules.

First. Always supervise your baby and do not leave him alone with the animal.

Second. Unfamiliar dogs and cats should be taboo for a child. Explain this as clearly as possible to your child. He must remember that an unfamiliar dog can only be admired from a long distance.

You cannot approach other people's animals. In addition, you should never throw objects at animals or tease them.

Third. Particularly dangerous are those animals that eat, care for their babies, or sleep peacefully. Without a doubt, they are very interesting at these moments, but also dangerous.

Fourth. If you notice the approach of an unfamiliar animal, you should not run away, scream or move at all. Your child should remember all this, in addition, you should not look the dog in the eyes.

Fifth. If the dog knocks you down, you should not try to get up, you need to curl up into a ball as tightly as possible and stop moving.

Sixth. If a familiar dog is approaching, then there is no need to rush to hug him, give the animal time to sniff you and the child.

Seventh. The dog should be stroked correctly; first, the dog should sniff the hand, while the hands should be visible. In addition, you should not pet the animal on the top of its head.

Eighth. If you see that the dog is ready to attack, then try to throw him some object that will replace the victim (for example, a raincoat, a backpack).

Ninth. Keep your child away from wild animals, even if you are nearby.

Children are most often bitten by dogs, and the first health hazard in such bites is trauma and blood loss. If a child is bitten before a bloody wound forms, the child should be shown to a doctor at the emergency room or the nearest hospital as soon as possible. If there are lacerations or bleeding, you should call an ambulance, providing the little patient with all first aid measures, from stopping the bleeding to artificial respiration and chest compressions.

If there were witnesses to the incident, it is advisable that one of them take a photograph of the attacking dog or other animal. If the owner of the animal is present at the scene of the incident, you must immediately check with him about the presence of a rabies vaccination in the dog.

The bite of most mammals that can be encountered in the city and its environs - dogs, foxes, squirrels, etc. poses a danger to both children and adults, as there is a risk of rabies.

Rabies is a fatal, incurable disease that is transmitted by the bite of a sick animal along with its saliva.

Mad animals are shot annually in different areas throughout almost the entire territory of Russia. Cases of rabies are regularly recorded in Moscow and the Moscow region, in the vicinity of any large cities. The ecological instability of the biosystems of Russian forests with disappearing populations of large predators leads to the fact that rabid foxes, squirrels, hedgehogs, and dogs freely enter the territory of city parks, so that any inhabitant of a metropolis has a non-zero chance of encountering a rabid animal.

If a child has been bitten by a dog, you need to find the owner of the animal and make sure that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. In any case, if a dog bites a child, you need to emergency prophylaxis against tetanus. In order to protect against rabies, if necessary, rabies vaccinations should be started as early as possible.

If a child has been bitten by a cat, then it should be borne in mind that, despite all their external cuteness, stray cats can transmit various types of dangerous infections. The same applies to domestic cats living in village houses, dachas, and cottage communities. Cats are often carriers of helminthic infestations. And they are also susceptible to rabies.
Cats are perceived as scratching animals, but claws are usually a defensive reaction, and feral and stray cats are predators who actively use their fangs, which can leave rather unpleasant holes in a person’s fingers, arms, and legs.

Snake bites are not that uncommon either.. Common symptoms of snake poisoning are weakness, drowsiness, burning pain at the site of the bite, headache, muscle pain, swelling of soft tissues in the bite area and the appearance of blood. Before the doctor arrives, you need to apply a tourniquet to the affected leg or arm using a scarf, scarf or belt. The pulse should be palpable above the tourniquet. The bandaged surface becomes bluish.

The child must be at rest. If the child shows anxiety, you need to pick him up. Under no circumstances should the poison be sucked out of the wound. Through a tiny crack in the oral mucosa, the poison can enter your body. In any case, emergency medical attention is required.

Safety precautions for handling animals that children need to know

You must not approach strangers, stray or wild animals.
. Do not tease strangers, stray or wild animals
. You cannot pet or pick up strangers, stray or wild animals.
. Do not feed strangers, stray or wild animals

It is advisable to carry out any contact with an animal only with the consent of its owner, after receiving information about the safety of the animal, both from the point of view of adequate training and from the point of view of biological safety. In any case when an animal is in danger - imaginary or real - a child of preschool or primary school age should call an adult for help, and not try to help the animal on his own. Especially if the animal looks sick, strange, if it cannot stand up or move smoothly.

You should not approach animals with food, even if they do not eat, but guard the food or play with it.
. You should not approach an animal that appears to be sleeping. Do not wake a sleeping animal.
. You should not approach animals while they are having sexual intercourse or preparing for it.

All issues of humanism and care for our little brothers can be considered in a wider range of different problems and issues when the child can more meaningfully and adequately assess the danger of contact with an animal. For children under 10-12 years old, especially those who have no experience in keeping pets, independent acquaintance with the animal world can bring more problems and sorrows than dubious joys.

Any contacts of young children with animals should occur with the participation of parents, with their knowledge and under their responsibility. If mom and dad want to instill in their child a love of animals by caring for dogs and cats, then they must first of all carry out this care themselves, and in such a way as not to create a threat to other adults and children.

Animal Bites

Description

An animal bite is a wound caused by the teeth of an animal. Teeth puncture, tear, scrape, or crush human tissue. The injury can cause damage to skin, nerves, bones, muscles, blood vessels, or joints.

Causes of animal bites

Most bites occur when the animal has been provoked. Animals infected with rabies bite without provocation.

Risk factors

Most bites occur in children and young people. Men are affected more often than women. Bites occur more often in warm weather.

Symptoms of animal bites

Symptoms of a bite include pain and bleeding.

The wound may be infected by bacteria normally found in the animal's mouth, an animal infection (rabies), or germs found on the skin or in the environment.

Symptoms of infection include:

• Redness around the wound;
• Pain;
• Burning;
• Swelling;
• Sensitivity;
• Pus oozing from the wound;
• Fever.

Diagnosis of animal bites

The doctor asks about how the bite occurred and what animal caused the bite. The doctor examines the wound and assesses damage to nearby muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones. If the wound is infected, the doctor may use a swab to remove a sample for testing.

Other tests may include:

• X-ray - to check the integrity of bones;
• Computed tomography assessments for traumatic brain injury in young children.

Treatment of animal bites

Treatment is aimed at accelerating healing, reducing the risk of infection, and preventing the development of complications. If the bitten dog has been vaccinated, the victim may be able to treat minor wounds on his own. However, you must first seek medical help. Getting the necessary medical care within the first 24 hours after being bitten reduces the chance of infection.

You should seek medical help in the following situations:

• Bites from wild animals (bites from rabbits and rodents (gophers, mice, rats)). The likelihood of contracting rabies is low;
• A cat or human bite (these bites are especially prone to developing a rapid and serious infection);
• Deep or large wounds;
• Infection;
• Five or more years have passed since your last tetanus vaccination.

Regardless of the severity of the bite, you should consult a doctor if you have chronic diseases, such as:

• Diabetes;
• Liver diseases;
• Heart or lung disease;
• Arthritis or lupus;
• Poor blood circulation;
• Immunodeficiency.

Self-treatment after an animal bite

After an animal bite it is necessary;

• Wash the wound with soap and water for at least five minutes;
• Use a clean towel to stop bleeding;
• If bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes, seek medical attention immediately;
• Apply a sterile bandage to the open wound;
• Elevate the bite area above the level of the heart to reduce swelling;
• Keep the dressing clean and dry;
• Check the bite site regularly for signs of infection.

Medical care after an animal bite

The doctor can clean the wound by wiping a cloth with plenty of liquid. Debris and dead tissue trapped in the wound must be removed. If necessary, the wound will be closed with stitches, but often the bite site will be left open to reduce the risk of infection. After 24 hours of the bite, the doctor may use adhesive strips to glue the edges of the wound closer together. A tetanus vaccine may be given.

After a bite, an anti-rabies vaccine may be used if it is not known whether the animal was healthy. Sometimes it is necessary to visit a doctor within 2-4 days to examine the bite site.

Prevention of animal bites

To avoid an animal bite, you must:

• Monitor children's interactions with animals. Teach children not to put their faces close to pets. Do not allow teasing or pulling the animal's tail;
• Do not call or play with sick or strange animals;
• Don't run past dogs;
• If the dog approaches, you need to remain calm and give him the opportunity to sniff the person. You can't look the dog in the eyes. You need to wait until the dog moves away, or retreat slowly;
• Choose your pets carefully, giving preference to animals with a calm temperament;
• Do not disturb an animal that is eating or sleeping;
• You cannot separate animals, especially large ones that are struggling;
• There is no need to fight or provoke aggression in the dog.