Animal Bites - What To Do About Them In Children
Animal Bites - What To Do About Them In Children
Animal bites from dogs and cats are common, especially in tamariki. If your child has had an animal bite, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. They may need treatment.
Key points about animal bites
- dog, cat and rat bites occur more commonly in children than adults
- tamariki are most commonly bitten by their own dog or dogs they know
- cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites
- all animal bites can become infected - take your child to a doctor for a check after any animal bite
Who gets animal bites?
All tamariki are at risk of an animal bite. Dog bites are more common in tamariki under 5 years of age. Cat bites are more common in tamariki than adults.
What sort of animal bites could my child get?
Up to 90% of animal bites are from dogs. Younger tamariki are most likely to get dog bites on their head and neck. This is most likely because a young child's head is at the level of a large dog's mouth. Dog bites can be scratches, puncture wounds, deep cuts, crush injuries or skin tears.
Around 5 to 10% of animal bites are from cats. Tamariki usually get cat bites on their hands and arms when playing with a cat. Cat bites can be scratches or deep puncture wounds.
Around 3% of animal bites are from rodents like rats. Rat bites are common in tamariki 5 years or younger. Tamariki mostly get rat bites on their hands or faces. Rate bites are more common in the warmer months.
What should I do if my child has been bitten by an animal?
Because all animal bites could become infected, take your child to the doctor if they have had an animal bite.
Before you see the doctor, you can control any bleeding by putting pressure on the wound. Do not put on any ointments or begin treatment with any kind of medicine before seeing the doctor.
When should my child see a doctor following an animal bite?
In most cases, take your child to a doctor as soon as possible after any animal bite.
Take your child to the closest emergency department if:
- the bleeding is heavy, or you can't stop the bleeding
- the wound looks wide or deep
- your child has had any bites on the head, face, ears, hand, foot or genitals
- the bite is over a joint
When to dial 111
Phone 111 within New Zealand for an ambulance (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) if:
- the animal bite looks serious
- your child is unconscious or having difficulty breathing
- you are worried that your child looks very ill
What will the doctor do following an animal bite?
Depending on where the animal bite is and how bad it is, the doctor may:
- clean the wound and remove loose skin
- take a swab of the wound
- use stitches to close the wound
- prescribe a course of antibiotics for your child
- recommend or prescribe some pain relief
- recommend tetanus immunisation
- send your child for an x-ray to check for any bone damage
- refer your child to the hospital specialists if they suspect any damage to nerves or tendons
- give you advice on how to keep the wound clean
- ask you to bring your child back again for another check of the wound
- refer your child for counselling if their mental wellbeing has been affected
What should I look out for after my child has been bitten?
Once your child has seen the doctor, you will get advice on how to care for their wound.
Keep a close eye on your child’s bite wound and see a doctor again if:
- there is increased redness, swelling and pain or it becomes warm to touch
- red streaks develop
- there is a coloured or smelly discharge
- your child has any new loss of feeling, numbness or inability to move the affected limb it’s on
- the wound has not healed after 2 weeks
Emotional and mental wellbeing after an animal bite
After a bad experience with an animal bite, some tamariki may be scared to be around animals. If you feel like your child is anxious or is having nightmares or flashbacks after their animal bite, ask your doctor for support. Your doctor can arrange psychological support for your child through ACC.
Will my child need time off from kura or school after an animal bite?
Your child should take at least one day off after starting treatment (such as antibiotics). Check with your doctor how long they recommend.
What can I do to prevent my child from getting an animal bite?
It is important to teach your child how to approach and handle pets. Here are some things you can do:
- never leave tamariki alone with a cat or dog
- teach tamariki how to handle animals gently and kindly
- remind tamariki not to disturb an animal that is sleeping
- avoid touching animals that don’t know you or your child
- teach your child to ask the animal’s owner if it is OK to pat them first
- avoid approaching stray animals or animals that look aggressive
- do not disturb cats and dogs that have kittens and puppies with them, as they may become aggressive if they fear their young are at risk
This page last reviewed 05 May 2023.
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Kuumwa na wanyama - Nini cha Kufanya Kuhusu Wao Katika Watoto Kuumwa na Wanyama - Nini cha Kufanya Kuhusu Wao Katika Watoto Kuumwa na Wanyama kutoka kwa mbwa na paka ni kawaida, hasa katika watoto. Ikiwa mtoto wako amenyongwa na mnyama, mwone daktari haraka iwezekanavyo. Huenda wakahitaji kutibiwa. Meno ya mbwa, paka na panya huuma watoto mara nyingi kuliko watu wazima, na watoto huumwa na mbwa wao au mbwa wanaowajua, na kuna uwezekano mkubwa wa kuambukizwa na mbwa kuliko mbwa, na mtoto anaweza kuambukizwa na mbwa. Wote wako katika hatari ya kuumwa na mnyama. Kuumwa na mbwa ni kawaida kwa watoto chini ya umri wa miaka mitano. Kuumwa na paka ni jambo la kawaida zaidi katika watoto kuliko watu wazima. Ni aina gani ya kuumwa na wanyama ambayo mtoto wangu anaweza kupata? Zaidi ya asilimia 90 ya majeraha ya kuumwa na wanyama hutokana na mbwa. Watoto wadogo zaidi wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kuumwa na mbwa kichwani na shingoni. Hii ni kwa sababu kichwa cha mtoto mdogo kiko katika kiwango cha mdomo wa mbwa mkubwa. Kuumwa na mbwa kunaweza kuwa makwaruzo, majeraha ya kupasuka, makwaruzo ya kina kirefu, majeraha ya kukandamiza au machozi ya ngozi. Karibu asilimia 5 hadi 10 ya majeraha ya kuumwa na wanyama hutokana na paka. Kwa kawaida Tamariki hupigwa na paka mikononi na mikononi wanapocheza na paka. Kuumwa na paka kunaweza kuwa makwaruzo au majeraha ya kina kirefu. Karibu asilimia 3 ya maambukizi ya wanyama hutokana na panya. Kuumwa na panya ni jambo la kawaida kwa watoto wenye umri wa miaka 5 au chini. Tamariki kwa kawaida hupigwa na panya mikononi au usoni. Kuumwa na mbweha ni jambo la kawaida zaidi katika miezi yenye joto. Nifanye nini ikiwa mtoto wangu ameumwa na mnyama? Kwa kuwa vidonda vyote vya wanyama vinaweza kuambukizwa, mwendee mtoto wako kwa daktari ikiwa amenyongwa na mnyama. Kabla ya kwenda kwa daktari, unaweza kudhibiti mtiririko wowote wa damu kwa kushinikiza jeraha. Usitumie mafuta yoyote au kuanza matibabu na aina yoyote ya dawa kabla ya kumwona daktari. Ni wakati gani mtoto wangu anapaswa kumwona daktari baada ya kuumwa na mnyama? Kwa kawaida, mtie mtoto wako daktari mara tu anapokamatwa na mnyama. "Kama mtoto wako anaugua sana au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana, au anaugua sana.""" Kwa mfano, kama mtoto wako amenyongwa na mnyama, daktari anaweza kumpa dawa ya kuzuia maumivu ya tumbo, au kumpa dawa ya kuzuia maumivu ya tumbo, au kumpa dawa ya kuzuia maumivu ya tumbo, au kumpa dawa ya kuzuia maumivu ya tumbo, au kumpa dawa ya kuzuia maumivu ya tumbo, au kumpa dawa ya kuzuia maumivu ya tumbo, au kumpa dawa ya kuzuia maumivu ya tumbo. Baada ya mtoto wako kumwona daktari, utapata ushauri kuhusu jinsi ya kutunza jeraha lake. Angalia kwa makini kidonda cha mtoto wako na uone daktari tena ikiwa: - kuna nyekundu, uvimbe na maumivu au inakuwa moto kugusa - mstari mwekundu huendelea - kuna kutokwa kwa rangi au harufu mbaya - mtoto wako ana upotezaji mpya wa hisia, kuzimia au kutokuwa na uwezo wa kusonga mguu uliosababishwa - jeraha halijapona baada ya wiki mbili. Ikiwa unaona mtoto wako ana wasiwasi au ana ndoto mbaya au flashbacks baada ya kuumwa na mnyama, mwambie daktari wako msaada. Daktari wako anaweza kupanga msaada wa kisaikolojia kwa mtoto wako kupitia ACC. Je, mtoto wangu atahitaji likizo kutoka shule baada ya kuumwa na mnyama? Mtoto wako anapaswa kuchukua angalau siku moja ya mapumziko baada ya kuanza matibabu (kama vile antibiotics). Jibu daktari wako kuhusu muda unaopendekezwa. Ninaweza kufanya nini ili kuzuia mtoto wangu asiumwa na mnyama? Ni muhimu kumfundisha mtoto wako jinsi ya kukabiliana na wanyama wa kufugwa. "Hii ni moja ya njia za ""kuondoa"" mtoto kutoka kwa mtoto wako, na sio kuondoa mtoto wako kutoka kwa mtoto wako, na sio kuondoa mtoto wako kutoka kwa mtoto wako, na sio kuondoa mtoto wako kutoka kwa mtoto wako, na sio kuondoa mtoto wako kutoka kwa mtoto wako, na sio kuondoa mtoto wako kutoka kwa mtoto wako, na sio kuondoa mtoto wako kutoka kwa mtoto wako." Je, una maoni yoyote kwa ajili ya KidsHealth? Ikiwa una maoni yoyote kuhusu tovuti ya KidsHealth, au una pendekezo la maudhui mapya, tafadhali wasiliana nasi.