MANILA, Philippines — Keeping pets at home can have positive effects. They provide an indescribable sense of happiness and serve as great friends.
They also boost your mental well-being by enhancing happiness and relaxation. Additionally, their existence significantly influences your children’s lives; they offer not only friendship and company but also foster empathy, patience, and unconditional affection in kids. Furthermore, when tasked with caring for or tidying up after pets, children learn responsibility towards another living being from a young age.
However, keeping pets at home can present certain difficulties and risks, especially for your children. Even though they're considered part of the family and granted nearly human rights within the household, dogs and cats remain wild creatures. Despite receiving regular vaccinations, these animals still carry potential threats, including rabies.
You can't alter nature. They aren't always as lively and mischievous as usual; instead, they have specific moods and actions. Making them do things against their will or gently petting them on the head when they're sleeping, eating, or irritable could provoke clawing or biting—incidents that parents shouldn't dismiss, regardless of whether the creature has had its vaccinations.
"When your child gets bitten or scratched by a pet, every second counts," stated Amado A. Flores III, M.D., from the Emergency Department at Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed).
1. Administer immediate first aid
"Clean the injury with soap and fresh flowing water for about 10 to 15 minutes, then put some antiseptic on it and wrap it up using a sterile dressing," advised Dr. Flores.
2. Head to the medical facility and consult an expert.
"Take your child directly to the emergency room if the injury is swollen, continues to bleed profusely, and exposes bones, muscles, or tendons. If not, ensure you reach the hospital within an eight-hour window following the incident. Delaying treatment increases the likelihood of infection and potential complications," explained the physician.
3. Understand the truth surrounding the sad event
When you're at the hospital, get ready to respond to inquiries regarding the animal that scratched or bitten your child.
Has the pet received its rabies vaccinations, or is its immunization history unclear? Did it exhibit unusual behavior?" asked Dr. Flores. "In an ideal scenario, you would need to put the animal under quarantine to monitor it for 10 days. Regardless of whether the dog or cat falls sick or not, we highly advise a course of antirabies injections for your child.
4. Adhere to and finish the medications recommended by your physician.
Post-exposure treatments include four injections of the rabies vaccine administered on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (with an additional dose on day 28 for patients with compromised immunity) along with one dosage of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG).
The HRIG should be given as quickly as possible following exposure to offer instant, passive protection, whereas the vaccine encourages the body to generate its own antibodies for defense against the rabies virus. In cases of repeated exposures, individuals with prior vaccination history wouldn’t require HRIG but would generally get two additional doses of the rabies vaccine instead; these boosters are scheduled for Day 0 and Day 3.
In the Philippines, a significant problem emerged with rabies cases totaling 354 between January and September 2024. This figure marks a 23% increase compared to the same period the prior year, as reported by the Department of Health.
Rabies is a deadly illness but it can be easily prevented," Dr. Flores stated. "Make sure your pet's vaccines are current, and educate your children to treat dogs and cats, as well as all types of animals, with respect. Avoid disturbing them during meals or naps, do not flee or approach an unknown dog or cat, never try to touch a dog or cat over a barrier like a gate or fence, and ensure your child stays clear of any aggressive animal.
A pet that has all its vaccinations doesn’t guarantee your kid’s safety. "Bites and scratches from dogs and cats can transfer bacteria into wounds," cautioned Dr. Flores.
"Dog bite infections caused by Capnocytophaga and Pasteurella multocida may result in fever, diarrhea, inflamed joints, and sores or discharge at the site of the injury. Similar symptoms have been noted with bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Campylobacteriosis, which are often present in cat saliva. Such cases typically require treatment through antibiotics or a tetanus injection," explained Dr. Flores.
A kid growing up with pets will definitely accumulate numerous recollections (and snapshots!) of connecting with their fluffy, four-legged companions. "Spending time closely with dogs or cats means that scrapes and nips can be prevented but might still happen," stated Dr. Flores. "Stay proactive: Ensure your pets receive regular vaccinations, teach your children to handle dogs or cats gently, and take swift action when dealing with a scrape or nip."
RELATED: The Department of Health cautions against kissing pets, despite vaccination, as human rabies cases increase.