5 Tips On How To Act If A Rabbit Bites You
Rabbit bites are not common. They are animals with few aggression problems and, until a few years ago, it was not very common to find them as pets. However, information is never too much. Here are 5 tips for taking action if a rabbit bites you.
Nowadays, it is more common for a family nucleus to have one or more rabbits, which increases the probability of being bitten if the animal is not properly educated and if its ethology and behavioral needs are not respected.
Avoid situations where your rabbit might bite you
The first piece of advice is to avoid allowing the rabbit to bite you. Rabbits, and animals in general, don’t bite just because they want to. We often create moments where we cause the animal so much stress that it feels threatened and ultimately bites.
Incorrect or excessive handling can make the rabbit feel uncomfortable and end up biting its guardian’s hands. It is often a strong, fast bite that can damage the tendons or even the bone.
Keep calm, rabbits don’t spread disease
If, for some reason, you get bitten by a rabbit, rest assured. At first, domestic rabbits do not transmit disease. In rare cases, they can transmit Pasteurella multocida , the cause of pasteurellosis, but this disease is only common in poorly managed rabbit farms.
Only in endemic areas such as the United States have they been associated with transmission of Francisella tularensis , the bacterium that causes tularemia or rabbit fever.
If your rabbit bites you, wash the wound well
When faced with a rabbit bite, the first thing to do is wash the wound thoroughly with plenty of water and mild soap. In this way, we prevent the entry of microorganisms into the wound and reduce the bacterial load that may exist on the skin.
In fact, we should treat these types of wounds the same as any scratches we might suffer, as long as the wound doesn’t bleed excessively. In this situation, it’s best to go quickly to the emergency room.
The use of antibiotics is unnecessary
The use of antibiotics in this type of bite is not recommended as the frequency of infection is minimal. By taking them, we can create a bigger problem, like antibiotic resistance.
As we said, the wound must be well washed and checked for symptoms of infection. In that case, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Get vaccinated against tetanus
When any animal bites, a secondary tetanus infection can occur. This disease is caused by a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani . The spores of these bacteria are located in the soil and feces, so they can enter through the wounds caused during the bite.
On the other hand, it is not necessary to be vaccinated against rabies. First, if the rabbit is a pet, it cannot get rabies. Second, the probability of an infected rabbit transmitting rabies is very low. And finally, the rabies virus has been eradicated in many parts of the world, especially those that have strict veterinary control.
