Nearly half of all dog bites involve an animal owned by the victim's family or neighbors. A large percentage of dog bite victims are children. Although some dog breeds have been identified as being more aggressive than other breeds, any dog can attack when threatened. All dog bites carry a risk of infection, but immediate abundant watering can significantly decrease that risk.
The assessment of the risk of tetanus and rabies virus infection, and the subsequent selection of prophylactic antibiotics, are essential in the treatment of dog bites. Dog bite injury should be documented with photographs and diagrams when appropriate. Family doctors should educate parents and children on how to prevent bites. It is important to understand that any dog can bite, regardless of its breed or size.
Popular family dogs such as Labradors and German Shepherds have caused fatalities in the past. Therefore, it is always a good idea to be a responsible dog owner and ensure that pets are supervised at all times with others. A dog bite is the bite of a dog to a person or other animal, even a rabid dog. More than one successive bite is often referred to as a dog attack, although dog attacks can include bumps and scratches.
Although some dog bites do not cause injury, they can result in infection, disfigurement, temporary or permanent disability, or death. Another type of dog bite is the soft bite shown by well-trained dogs, puppies and in non-aggressive play. Dog bites can occur during dog fights, as a response to abuse, trained dogs working as guards, police or military animals, or during a random encounter. If you didn't know the dog that bit you, be sure to report the bite to your local animal control office or police.
A review article identified 28 species of aerobic organisms and 12 species of anaerobic organisms isolated from dog bite wounds. Always think about touching a sleeping dog and teach children not to climb into dogs' beds or wake up dogs that are asleep.A 2000 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on human deaths from dog bites during the twenty years 1979-1998, reported that pitbull and rottweiler dogs were involved in more than half of deaths. Several medical conditions cause the patient to be at high risk of infection with the rabies virus and injury from a dog bite (Table). An older dog should not be introduced into a home with children because the dog's behavior cannot be predicted.Patients who have been bitten by a dog should be instructed to elevate and immobilize the affected area.
If your dog is injured, keep in mind that it may bite when you handle it, so be especially careful if you need to lift or move your injured dog. Dog owners can be legally responsible for bites and injuries that their dog causes to people or other dogs.In order to prevent dog bites, it is important to understand why dogs may become aggressive in certain situations. Dogs may become aggressive when they feel threatened or scared, when they are protecting their territory or possessions, when they are ill or injured, or when they are playing too roughly with humans or other animals. It is important for pet owners to recognize signs of aggression in their pets so that they can intervene before an attack occurs.In addition to recognizing signs of aggression in their pets, pet owners should also take steps to ensure that their pets are properly socialized and trained.
Proper socialization helps pets learn how to interact appropriately with humans and other animals. Training helps pets learn how to respond appropriately in different situations and helps them understand what behaviors are acceptable and which ones are not.Finally, pet owners should always supervise their pets when they are around children or other animals. This will help ensure that any potential conflicts between pets and humans or other animals can be avoided before they escalate into an attack.
