Animal and Human Bites |
Cat Scratch Disease in Children
Cat scratches and bites can cause cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection carried in cat saliva. Young kittens younger than a year old are more likely to scratch, increasing the likelihood of infection. |
Facts About Animal Bites
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. |
Keep Kids Safe from Bugs
Many products seek to prevent bug bites, but products containing DEET (usually listed on labels as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are quite effective. |
Rabies in Children
Rabies occurs mainly in skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and bats. In some areas, these wild animals infect domestic cats, dogs, and livestock. |
Treatment for Dog and Cat Bites and Scratches
For a superficial bite from a healthy household pet, wash the wound with soap and water under pressure from a faucet for at least five minutes. |
Treatment for Human Bites
Human bite wounds are more likely to become infected than dog or cat bites. A doctor should check any human bite that breaks the skin. |
What You Can Do About Dog Bites
Dogs are responsible for 85 to 90 percent of all animal bites. But, many incidents can be avoided. |
Why Children Bite
A young child may bite out of frustration or when under stress. Biting may also be an attempt to gain power—or just a way of exploring the world. |