Strawberry,
I am concerned that your daughter received a 'puncture wound' from a gerbil
or for that matter, any animal. I too, once received a puncture wound from a
gerbil(totally my fault, not the gerbil's) and my doctor insisted that a
tetanus shot and a week on antibiotics was necessary. After all, it is the
bacteria on an animal's teeth which is the cause for concern even if the
animal itself is in good health. I would suggest that you call your family
doctor or clinic to see what they would recommend.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Strawberry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 9:34 PM
Subject: Update/Questions
> On another note: Einstein, the male, is having to live solo for now
> until I can find him a suitable cage partner. I had him out today,
> handling him as I usually do. My daughter also happened to be up, so
> we had a little "gently touch the gerbil" time. Everything was fine,
> as it usually is when I have him out, then things just happened in
> the wrong place at the wrong time and he sunk his teeth into my
> daughter's index finger. Needless to say I will not have him out
> again while my daughter is about! It happened so quickly I didn't
> even know it until I saw the blood coming from her finger. He didn't
> take off any skin, just gave her a nice puncture wound. I stopped the
> bleeding and peroxided the wound. Is there anything I should be
> concerned about? I know children, and adults, can get nasty things
> from cats and rats. Is there anything humans can catch from gerbils?
> My daughter seems to be doing fine. No fever, but the finger is a
> little red. But I'd thought I'd check, just in case.
