PSA - to all the parents on my list.

[spookyevilone]

Small rodents and rabbits do not carry rabies and their bites generally don't require stitches, as they are basically deep puncture wounds. Clean the wound, compress until bleeding stops. If it won't stop after a few hours, or if it's gushing like a hydrant, by all means, go to the ER. Otherwise, clean it, compress it, loosely bandage it and go to your primary care doctor to get a tetanus booster. If they even mention rabies, they are a freaking idiot who is not up to date on their CDC updates - neither small rodents nor rabbits have ever caused a case of human rabies.

This is one reason I wish there were better parent education classes. There are many other reasons. Someday, I will make a flow chart of 'When To Take Baby To The ER'. (Is the fever over 104? Has Baby had the fever for more than three days? Is Baby vomiting profusely? Is Baby in obvious respiratory distress? NO? Then stay the hell home, give tylenol and motrin and lots of cuddles.)

Comments

[melody-rossiter.livejournal.com]

I haven't taken Noah to the hosp/dr for any illnesses, yet. I always use the three day rule, and if he's infected with a bug I would *NEVER* take him into a crowded dr's office (and I expect the same from the rest of the parents!).

Kid's are actually pretty easy to handle when they're sick. Fluids, rest and love is all it really takes.

[spookyevilone.livejournal.com]

Most parents don't have common sense. That's not a slam, that's just a statement that most of THEIR parents weren't involved, or weren't around when they had grandkids, so the new parents don't know when to panic and when not to.

I expect that at some point, when I have minis of my very own, I'm going to get CPS called on me for "child endangerment" and it will be for something stupid like letting my child play in a sandbox. ZOMG BABY COULD GET A PARASITE OR BACTERIA OR GERMS OR *DIRTY*!! :p