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DOG BITE:
They may be our best friends, but dogs are still animals and they can bite.
according to the Centres for Disease Control. Children are also more likely
than adults to be injured by a dog bite.
Although strays or other strange dogs can bite, most of the time people are
actually bitten by a dog they know, which could be a friend's dog or even
the family pet.
DOG BITE TREATMENTS:
Although you can provide first aid for a dog bite at home, it's very
important to see a doctor, especially if an unfamiliar dog bit you, the bite
is deep, you can't stop the bleeding, or there are any signs of infection
(redness, swelling, warmth, pus). Dog bites can cause infections that need
to be treated with antibiotics.
When you visit the doctor, be prepared to answer a few questions,
including:
• Do you know the owner of the dog?
• If so, is the dog up to date on all vaccinations, including
rabies?
• Did the bite occur because the dog was provoked, or was the dog
unprovoked?
• What health conditions do you have? People with diabetes, liver
disease, illnesses that suppress the immune system, and other health
conditions may be at greater risk for a more severe infection.
To care for a dog bite injury at home:
• Wash the bite carefully with running water.
• This may help clean away viruses bacteria. Then wash the wound with
warm soapy water for at least 5 minutes. Cover it with clean bandage
• If the bite is bleeding heavily, apply direct pressure and raise it
above heart level until the bleeding stops
• Do not use tape or butterfly bandages to close the wound, as this
could trap harmful organism in the wound.
• Apply antibiotic ointment to the injury every day to prevent
infection.
AT HOSPITAL:
• Your doctor will examine the injury to see whether the bite was deep
enough to damage muscles, tendons, nerves, or bones. Then the doctor will
thoroughly clean the bite wound to remove any dirt or bacteria, and may also
remove dead tissues from the wound.
• reduce scarring, it also can increase the risk of infection. Very
deep wounds that cause a great deal of damage may require plastic
surgery.Your doctor will decide upon surgical treatment.
• Your doctor will decide upon rabies vaccine injection and rabies
immunoglobulin injection.
• Your doctor will also take measures to prevent infection. The doctor
will also make sure that you are up to date on your tetanus shot.
• You may need to take antibiotics for seven to 14 days to prevent or
treat an infection. The doctor may ask you to come back in one to three days
to have the injury rechecked.
• If you did not know the dog that bit you, make sure to report the
bite to your local animal control office or police.
To prevent dog bites:
When choosing a dog for a family pet, pick one with a good temperament.
• Stay away from any dogs you don't know.
• Never leave young children alone with a dog -- especially an
unfamiliar one.
• Don't try to play with any dog that is eating or feeding her puppies.
• Whenever you approach a dog, do so slowly, and give the dog the
chance to approach you.
• If a dog becomes aggressive, do not run away or scream. Stay calm,
move slowly, and don't make eye contact with the dog.
What You Can Do About Dog Bites:
Dogs are more than pets — they are family. But even well-behaved dogs can
bite. Still, many incidents can be avoided. Teaching children how to stay
safe is especially important, because they are the ones most likely to be
bitten.
Warning signs:
Some behaviors may signal that a dog is aggressive, afraid, or protecting
his or her territory, 3 situations that can set you up for a bite. Watch for
the following:
• Growling, snarling, or barking.
• Crouching with the head low or the tail between the legs.
• Fur that’s standing up, erect ears, a stiff body, and a high
tail.
• Obvious injury or pain.
Avoiding bites:
If a strange dog comes near you, stand still, keep your hands down, and
avoid eye contact. If you’re knocked down, curl into a ball and cover your
head, neck, and face. Remember these tips, too:
• Ask before petting a dog you don’t know.
• Never leave a child alone with a dog — even the family pet.
• Avoid dogs that are cornered, chained, in a car or behind a
fence.
• Don’t play rough with any dog.
• Don’t break up a dog fight.
• Don’t surprise older dogs. One that’s deaf or blind may bite.
• Keep your face away from a dog’s head.
• Don’t disturb a dog that’s sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
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