My Hamster Bit Me and Drew Blood Should I Be Worried?

Hamsters are adorable little creatures. Many people keep them as pets because of their small size and cute appearance. But what would you do if one bites you? The answer to this question may surprise you. Hamsters are not typically aggressive creatures and bite only when they feel threatened in some way.

If a hamster has bitten you, and you’re worried about the possibility of rabies, then it’s essential to think about your situation honestly. The best thing to do is follow the guidelines in your standard first aid kit, then visit a doctor to examine and give you further treatment.

So, should I be worried if my hamster bit me and drew blood? No need to worry, and here are the steps to follow!

1. Prevent Further Contamination

The first thing that you need to do is prevent further contamination. When a hamster bites and draws blood, bacteria on its teeth and gums can cause infection. They’re also good at spreading disease from one place to another when they bite and draw blood.

To prevent this, you have to visit the bite site right away. Please wash your hands with soap and water before touching the area, especially after contacting it. If the wound is raw and bleeding freely, immediately apply an antiseptic ointment like Hydrogen Peroxide or a Listerine-based mouthwash.

2. Clean Away Bacteria

The next thing that you need to do is clean away bacteria from the area. This is important so the infection can’t take root in the open wound. You can apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide over the wound and wash it away with soap and water after 5 minutes. This will remove any dead skin and bacteria that are causing infection.

While waiting for the hydrogen peroxide to work its magic, you should keep your hands raised above your head so that blood flows to your heart. This prevents clotting or potential circulation loss throughout your lower arm or hand.

3. Treat the Wound

When you remove the hydrogen peroxide, you should apply a topical antibiotic ointment for wounds on the skin that contain bacteria. You can choose from hydrocortisone, Neosporin, Eucerin, and Polysporin. These are effective against bacteria and will relieve a lot of pain so that your hand will be less swollen and red.

Because of the infection, it’s easy to get an infection in your fingers. If you do, it will be in the form of an abscess or a boil. An abscess is a puss-filled infection that usually develops near the bite or wound and can cause pain and irritation. You can treat this by applying antibiotic ointment and covering it with a bandage. Most antiseptic creams also contain antibiotics to cover the puss-filled wound with medication.

4. Watch for Breathing Difficulties

Another reason you should clean away bacteria is to prevent them from going deeper into the body. If this happens, the infection can attack your lymph nodes or blood vessels, causing them to swell and restricting breathing. That’s one of the key signs you need to seek medical attention immediately.

Sometimes, a hamster’s teeth are contaminated with bacteria because they have not been adequately cleaned. If the hamster is infected, you can risk developing the same thing.

5. See a Doctor

The best way to keep yourself in good health is to visit your doctor immediately after being bitten by a hamster. You should see a doctor if you see signs or symptoms of infection, such as fever or redness around the wound. If the hamster is infected with a virus or bacteria, it can cause severe illnesses in humans.

Did you know that some hamsters are born with a genetic defect that makes them aggressive and prone to biting? If your hamster has bitten you and it happens again, it’s worth seeing the doctor. They can tell whether the hamster has an underlying condition like Cushing’s disease. You may want to take your pet elsewhere for rehabilitation if it does.

7. Disinfector Sanitize the Cage

To sanitize it, you should wash it with soap and water. When you are done, you should use an antiseptic solution that contains alcohol or a Listerine-based mouthwash to clean it away. You can buy sanitizing wipes from a drugstore if you don’t have any of these products at home.

If the hamster has an infection, you must disinfect its cage immediately before anything else happens. Most of the time, this will come with a new cage because it’s hard to sterilize every possible place where bacteria can be located. In addition, you can also choose to throw away the hamster’s bedding and toys if you need clarification on how often it was cleaned.

8. Final Steps

After that, you should wash your hands with soap and water. Then, disinfect the hands by applying an antiseptic ointment or mouthwash for about 5 minutes. It would be best if you were careful to cover the wound properly so that it does not open up again during this time.

10. Watch for Infection Signs

If you’ve had a hamster bite a few times before without any problems, it’s still important to watch for infection signs for a few days after the accident. Rarely infections can be fatal if they aren’t treated quickly enough. In this case, you should go to the doctor if you notice that either the wound is not healing properly or there is pus from it.

In Conclusion

Because the infection is the last thing you want to happen when your hamster bites you, it’s best to take steps to prevent it. In addition, if you have a hamster with contaminated teeth and gums, you should clean it away and disinfect its cage. Finally, if you suspect an infection because of swelling or pus around the bite area, see a doctor immediately.

It’s hard to avoid getting bitten by a hamster because they are so curious and playful in nature. However, to avoid getting infected by one, you need to take steps every time it happens.