What to do when a dog or cat bites you

The Animal Bite Center at the San Lazaro Hospital is overflowing with people who have been bitten by cats and dogs. The hospital said since January 2, it has been attending to at least 1,000 patients a day, including those returning for their second and third doses of anti-rabies vaccine. Doctors said the only immediate remedy to a dog or cat bite is to quickly wash the wound with soap and water before rushing the patient to the nearest hospital. It is is also wrong to induce bleeding, which some people believe would take the rabies out. So far, no fatalities have been recorded this year, but San Lazaro Hospital is urging dog and cat owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies. - Mornings@ANC, 14 January 2014