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Baby bit by Family pet!!?
  • HartiaHartia
    Posts: 62Member
    We have a rat cage with 5 female rats, all friendly. The cage has a protective guard over the mesh so that my 9 month old cannot stick his fingers in the holes. All of the rats are friendly, but when they are hungry they will not hesitate to bite any wandering fingers.

    Anyway, I was getting ready to clean the cage out this morning, removed the guard, and went to grab the food for the rats (I feed them in the morning) when I heard my baby scream. My husband was supposed to watch him while I was in the other room..... He got curious and stuck his fingers in the grates, there was a LOT of blood (I may be exaggerating a bit). He has 3 bite marks on his middle finger, it bled for a good 15mins and frequently reopens as he moves around. I don't think he lost too much blood or he wouldn't be so responsive and he doesn't seem to notice that the wounds are even there anymore.

    I was just wondering is anyone has had a pet bite or injure their baby or if I'm a bad momma for allowing this to happen... I won't get rid of my rats, they are a part of the family and a commitment I made before we had Sam. Needless to say, I won't let this happen again and hopefully my LO won't repeat this error in the future. I don't know if a 9 month old learns to avoid repeating injuries.  We did not take him to the dr office as it's Sunday, or the E.R. though we may take him in in the morning just to be safe. In any case, opinions!!?

    (Please don't try and tell me to get rid of them, they are family!)

    image

  • CrashCrash
    Posts: 8,228Member
    It sounds like an accident. I wouldn't advise getting rid of them. Like you say, they will bite. They're rats, (and cute ones too!), and don't have the higher thinking patterns of a dog or cat. I'm not sure your little one is old enough to consistently remember not to stick his fingers in the cage, although he may well be frightened enough for the lesson to stick. I reckon next time put the baby in his crib while you do the rat care. Don't worry about it. Shit happens with animals and kids.
    See ya in another life, sister!
  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,097Member
    First you are not a bad mom ! Things happen ! My DS has been bitten by a family members dog ( no blood she didn't break the skin ) a cat ( ok that was a scratch) and a parrot at the zoo and a swan at the zoo. Maybe he learned his lesson last time , don't stick your fingers in the bird cage !lol. I was biten by my grandmothers dog. I would keep an eye on the bite though.
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • SaraSara
    Posts: 1,037Member
    @curious is right. Shit happens when you mix animals with people. It was an accident. It's not like you are going to get rid of your kid when they grow up and do something wrong. It is a learning lesson for all involved... Hope the baby is alright..
    Think of your problems as challenges to overcome not obstacles to be avoided.
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,846Member
    Just keep an eye on the wounds. Keep them cleaned & bandaged. If they start getting red, take him in to the dr. Accidents will always happen no matter how careful we are. Next time, hopefully dh will keep a closer eye on your little man. Btw, that rat is freaking adorable :)
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,029Member
    Love rats first off had 2 several years ago and loved them. I agree with the others it was an accident it's not like they mauled him. Just keep an eye on the bites and keep them clean.
  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,097Member
    How are the digits doing today?
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,735Member
    Yeah, your LO will learn! Chaosmom is right. I once got bitten by a baby. I asked my mum what would happen if i put my hands in her mouth, she told me to have a go and find out, and i got bitten lol I never did it again! 

    I think its just one of those things. No biggie, you are a great mum!! 

    And, I never thought I would say this, but what a cute rat!!! lol 
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • Bubandsis
    Posts: 113Member
    Both of my children have been bitten by two different dogs my mom has had accidents happen just be real careful though at least it wasnt too bad and they didnt need stitches both my babies pretty lil faces have scars from the dog bites
  • BeerWenchBeerWench
    Posts: 2,820Member
    Let me say that I love my pets; one dog is having surgery tonight, I pay $100 a month for arthritis meds for another, have a 3rd dig, bearded dragon and a fish. I would do anything for them. But I'm sorry, if any of my pets injured my child I would find a new home for them.

    Hope your LO feels better soon.
    :¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•** She who leaves a trail of glitter is never forgotten**•-:¦:-•:*'""*:• -:¦:-
  • SalllyWingo
    Posts: 1,572Member
    My puppy has cost us upwards of $5000 and we won't get rid of her ever.  She's my furry baby, and I would do anything for her.
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    W pet rats the location of their eyes and what they see has something to do w the biting.
    I've had pet rats and ppl have been bitten, Templeton never did mean bites, he thought he was being handed a treat.
    Kiddo will learn and hopefully dh will too.
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,250Member
    It happens, I wouldn't worry about it too much, though even at 9 months, I'll bet he's learned his lesson!  Make sure you keep the injury clean, and you might want to give his pediatrician a call, let them know what happened and see if there's anything special you need to do.

    I know with human bites that break the skin, antibiotics are always given prophetically.
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,283Administrator, Moderator
    Templeton!! I'm a huge Charlotte's Web fan, so that reference made me very happy. :) @mommyliciousx4

    I don't think this is a situation where you're dealing with dangerous, unruly animals here. I think it was an accident and I think it is something that everyone can learn from. I'm sure as your son gets older, you can teach him about how to handle the rats, allow him to participate in their care, etc. Just like you would any other family pet.

    If his finger is showing any signs of infection, I would take him in. If it isn't getting better by now, or is swollen, I'd take him in. He's going to be just fine, but you wanna make sure you take care of any possible infections quickly.

    community-manager


  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    @Sammie He was absolutely spoiled. He had a tall three story cage and we always left the top door open.
    He tried dragging a bag of onions out of our kitchen while we were gone one time.
    A neighbor would always bring him a few baby carrots.
    He was 5 when he passed away.

    His "wife" was a very mean rat and we got rid of her once we realized how nasty she was.
  • undercoverbanana
    Posts: 7,743Member
    Keep them up high where baby can't reach them, I guess. I used to have a really mean 3 legged hamster that bit the shit out of everybody but me.
    i'm nekkid.
  • HartiaHartia
    Posts: 62Member
    I'm glad to say that my LO is doing just fine, no infections!! He still occasionally tries to climb the cage, but we're really careful about leaving the guard on it at all times.

    I don't know if any one knows this, but Rats are actually one of the smartest animals in the entire animal kingdom, certainly equal to a dog or cat, depending on the training and the breed. It might just be a case of training the rats better. :)

  • CrashCrash
    Posts: 8,228Member
    That's great to hear, @Hartia!

    I didn't mean to insinuate that rats are dumb. I don't know much about them actually, other than that people have been breeding fancies for longer than almost any other domestic animal.
    See ya in another life, sister!
  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,097Member
    I have heard they are smart ! I wouldn't mind having a hooded rat as a pet. I saw a lady walking one on a harness once ! But I live with my mom who has an irrational fear of mice/rats anything in the rodentia family. Oh well !
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • BeachyBeachy
    Posts: 3,938Member
    @hartia i was waiting for someone to comment that studies show rats are at least as smart as dogs, maybe smarter. You train them like a dog. A swift no! And a no bite! They are incredibly intelligent. Great pets, I can't wait until my kids are old enough to have one. Better than hamsters.
    Searching for my lost shaker of salt.
  • BeachyBeachy
    Posts: 3,938Member
    I had a male in HS, IntrensicKen, he was pretty awesome. Then I got him a friend, a blind f the petshop was going to put down and she eviserated him. It was a sad day. But he was wicked awesome.
    Searching for my lost shaker of salt.
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    My first rat was a blonde hooded one, his name was Seymour. The pet store tried telling me he could be mean.
    He was the sweetest most docile critter. It was his gf I got that was a mean hateful bitch.
    I will stick w the males. :-)
  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,254Member
    I once had a rat as well, she was pretty smart, she came when you called her name, sat up when offered a treat, and I had her in a broken parrot cage.  She'd climb up the sides all the time.  I bars of the cage on the bottom in back, a few of them were missing.  She would walk out when she felt like it, and then go back when she was tired or hungry.  I had her way before kids though, like when I was 18.  I sadly had to re-home her when I had to move in with my grandmother for a bit. A lady that volunteered at the shelter took her.  I'd have another, but I despise cleaning cages now. 
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • RDunhamRDunham
    Posts: 108Member
    I think all you can really do is try to teach your son safety around them. Fortunately they are small animals, but would you react the same way if you had a dog that bit him?
  • bombkittybombkitty
    Posts: 306Member
    Your boy will probably not do that again.  Sounds like your pet was looking for a treat.  My DD got bit by my mom's horse, but it was an accident, too.  We talked about why it happened and how to not have it happen again and she went right back out there.  Cute rat!  I used to have a great little female rat Sha-nay-nay (don't ask, LOL) but my DH doesn't like rodents so I couldn't have one now... :(
  • ann_king68
    Posts: 5Member
    That's not that bad. Being as they are pets (I've owned a few ratties), it should be harmless. Your baby was probably just shocked more than anything. It's not like they were once wild, your rats have probably never come in to contact with the bacteria and such that wild ones are.

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