When Fido or Fluffy bite someone, it poses risks of nerve and tendon damage and, more often, infection. The chances of infection from a cat bite is much higher than that of a dog bite, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes.

If you are bitten by a pet or a wild animal, the academy suggests you seek prompt medical treatment for these potential warning signs of infection:

• Warmth or swelling near the wound.
• Long-lasting pain.
• Pus on or near the wound.
• Reddening of the skin.
• Loss of feeling.
• Inability to straighten or bend a finger or toe.

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