MANILA, Philippines — Having pets in the house can be a good thing. They bring a certain unexplainable joy and make good companions.
They also help improve your mental health by making you happier and more relaxed. Their presence also creates a great impact on the lives of your children, as these furry four-legged bundles of joy bring not just friendship and companionship to your kids but also develop in them a sense of compassion, patience and unconditional love. And if you assign them the task of feeding your fur babies or cleaning after them, you also teach them how to be responsible for a living thing at an early age.
But having pets in the house can also pose some challenges and dangers, particularly on your children. Though treated like members of the family and given almost human privileges around the house, dogs and cats are still animals. They may have also been given their shots regularly, but animals still come with hazards, such as rabies.
You cannot change nature. Not always their usual playful selves, they are prone to certain moods and behaviors. Forcing them to do something they don’t want to do or even patting them innocently on the head when they’re asleep, eating, or cranky may elicit scratches or bites — accidents parents should not take lightly, even when the animal is vaccinated.
“When your child is bitten or scratched by a pet, time is of the essence,” said Amado A. Flores III, MD, of the Emergency Department of Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).
1. Apply first-aid right away
“Wash the wound with soap and clean running water for 10 to 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic on the wound, and cover it with a sterile bandage,” said Dr. Flores.
2. Go to the hospital and seek professional help
“Bring your child to the ER (emergency room) immediately if the wound is swollen, doesn’t stop bleeding, and is so severe, it shows bones, muscles, and tendons. Otherwise, make sure you’re at the hospital no more than eight hours after the bite. The longer you wait, the more you put your child at risk for infection and possible complications,” the doctor said.
3. Know the facts behind the unfortunate incident
At the hospital, be prepared to answer questions about the animal that scratched or bit your child.
“Has the pet had its rabies shots, or is its vaccination status unknown? Was it behaving strangely?” enumerated Dr. Flores. “Ideally, you’ll have to quarantine the animal to observe it for 10 days. Whether the dog or cat becomes ill or not, we strongly recommend a series of anti-rabies shots on your child.”
4. Follow and complete the shots prescribed by the doctor
Post-exposure shots consist of four rabies vaccine doses given on Days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (plus a fifth dose on Day 28 if the patient is immuno-compromised), and a single dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG).
The HRIG is administered as soon as possible after exposure to provide immediate, passive immunity, while the vaccine stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies that protect against the rabies virus. For subsequent exposures, those who have been previously vaccinated do not need HRIG and would typically receive two booster doses of the rabies vaccine, one on Day 0 and one on Day 3.
A critical issue in the Philippines, rabies cases numbered 354 from January to September 2024, a 23% jump from the previous year, according to the Department of Health.
“Rabies is a fatal disease. But it’s also very preventable,” shared Dr. Flores. “Keep your pets’ vaccinations up to date, and teach your kids to respect dogs and cats, and all kinds of animals. Don’t bother them when they’re eating or sleeping, don’t run away or toward an unfamiliar dog or cat, never reach for a dog or cat from a gate or fence, and keep your child away from an animal once it starts to show signs of aggression.”
A pet with complete shots does not necessarily mean your child is in the clear. “Dog and cat bites and scratches can transmit bacteria to the wound,” warned Dr. Flores.
“Capnocytophaga and Pasteurella multocida from dog bites can lead to fever, diarrhea, swollen joints, and blisters or pus on the wound. The same symptoms have also been observed in Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, and Campylobacteriosis—bacteria found in the saliva of cats. Treatment for such conditions include antibiotics or a tetanus shot,” Dr. Flores said.
A child who grows up with pets will surely have countless memories (and pictures!) of bonding with a furry, four-legged family member. “When you spend time in close contact with dogs or cats, scratches and bites are both avoidable and inevitable,” said Dr. Flores. “Be steps ahead: Have your pets vaccinated regularly, remind your children to be gentle with a dog or cat, and act quickly in the event of a scratch or bite.”