Millions of people are bitten by dogs every year. What should you do if it happens to you?
The United States sees more than 4.5 million dog bites every year. Most of these incidents are not caused by an unfamiliar dog attacking someone in a park or other outdoor location, despite your assumption. The majority of dog bites are caused by a pet dog in a home. This article provides advice on how to avoid these distressing and potentially serious injuries, as well as the steps to take if you are attacked by a dog.
What is the cause of dog bites?
When people wrestle or play tug-of-war with their dog, there are dog bites that happen by accident. Dogs bite people most often when they feel stressed, threatened, scared, or startled, as per the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Dog bites are more common in children, and they are more prone to serious injuries than adults.
People don't always pay attention to the behavioral signals that a dog is uncomfortable, says Dr. Christopher Baugh, associate professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School. Some dogs are extremely territorial and will bark, growl, snap, and lunge if someone enters their space, whether it's an apartment, yard, or crate. Dogs may display resource guarding, which can result in anxious and aggressive behavior around food, toys, or beds.
According to the doctor, these situations can be high-risk, and children are particularly prone to not being aware of that risk.
What steps can you take to prevent dog bites?
According to the AVMA, dogs, even those that are sweet and cuddly, can bite if provoked. Young children playing with a dog should be supervised by an adult. Encourage children to refrain from disturbing a dog while it's eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
In a study of 321 facial dog bites treated at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital over a 20-year period, 88% of the bites were from known dogs. The majority were adults who had interacted with the dog through play, feeding, and facial contact. But according to Dr. Baugh, the hand—typically the dominant hand—is most likely the most often bitten area with an adult dog.
The following are some more recommendations from the CDC to avoid dog bites:
- It is always polite to ask permission before petting a dog, even if it seems friendly.
- Before you pet the dog, be sure it has seen and smelled you.
- Petting a dog who appears to be hiding, afraid, ill, or furious is not advised.
What happens if a strange dog comes up for you? Keep your cool and avoid making eye contact with the dog. Say "no" or "go home" in a deep, forceful voice while facing the dog with your side of the body facing it. Either move slowly away or wait for the dog to retreat.
In the event that a dog bites you, what should you do?
After giving the wound a quick wash with warm water and mild soap, wrap it in a fresh bandage or a piece of cloth. Using an antibiotic cream or ointment is advised by several internet sources. But according to the American Academy of Dermatology, these medications should only be used by those who have obvious signs of an infection, such as redness, pus, discomfort, swelling, or warmth.
Visit the emergency department if there is significant blood, a bite wound to the face, or a probable shattered bone. This is also a smart move in the unlikely event that you require medication to prevent rabies (rabies post-exposure prophylaxis) after being bitten by an unfamiliar or stray dog.
It's common for people to feel shocked after being bitten and focus solely on their wound, according to Dr. Baugh. The owner of the dog might stop by to see how you're doing and then go. However, he advises getting the person's contact details and confirming that the dog has received a rabies vaccination.
Remember that:
- If the injury doesn't need to be treated right away, an urgent care facility is a better choice because emergency rooms are frequently packed and have lengthy wait times.
- Stitches are needed for certain wounds, preferably within 12 to 24 hours.
- In order to avoid infections, the doctor might prescribe antibiotics, particularly if you have diabetes or other health issues that compromise your immune system.
- If it has been ten years since you got a tetanus booster, you might also require one. You will receive a tetanus booster just in case, if your vaccination history isn't available or you can't recall.
What happens when a dog bite is less serious?
Imagine that you have received a less serious bite from a relative who is known to have a current rabies vaccine. Bites that don't require stitches can be cleaned with mild soap and running water, then evaluated by your regular health care provider. They may advise you to monitor the wound for signs of infection.
Doctors are making an effort to be more thoughtful about prescribing antibiotics and limiting their use in low-risk situations, as overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance and exposure to potential side effects without any benefit. Baugh.
Last Thursday, I reluctantly boarded the underground train, eager to get home quickly despite my aversion to it. As usual, I found the train to be disgustingly dirty. Sitting uncomfortably on the edge of a seat, I decided to immerse myself in my phone to avoid acknowledging the unsanitary surroundings. However, my attempt to distract myself was interrupted when the train stopped at another station, and the door opened after some passengers disembarked and boarded other coaches.
A man aggressively pounded on the door of our coach, causing it to open. He entered, accompanied by a large Bull Terrier dog, clearly intoxicated. Feeling uneasy, I promptly vacated my seat and moved to the back where two other passengers were seated. They soon alighted, leaving me alone with the drunk man and his dog.
Throughout the journey, this man was talking to his restless dog. Consequently, they missed their intended stop, prolonging the discomforting situation. What exacerbated my unease was when, before exiting, the man directed a vulgar gesture towards me with his hand. I couldn't shake off the fear that he might unleash the dog on me.
Let me tell you all canines are susceptible to infection with canine parvovirus (CPV). However, unvaccinated dogs and pups under four months old are particularly vulnerable. The term "parvovirus dog" is often used to denote canine illnesses. Dogs may get this disease by coming into touch with infected animals or humans or by coming into contact with infected feces. Kennel flooring, food and water bowls, collars, leashes, and even people's clothes and hands may all get infected if they come into contact with infected dogs. The virus can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions. It can also withstand its surroundings for extended periods. Even minute quantities of dog poop may transmit the illness. The virus is easily transmitted by the hair and paws of sick dogs and via contaminated footwear or animal cages. But worry not; the solution here is parvo vaccine.
Your dog might pick up a severe, infectious, and lethal illness while walking in the neighborhood. The parvovirus is a yearly topic of conversation. I will explain all you need to know about parvovirus right now. When your veterinarian informs you during your puppy's first visit that he or she has to vaccinate against parvovirus, you'll know what to do.
What Is Parvovirus?
The canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal virus. The virus causes severe diarrhea and vomiting by damaging the intestinal lining. The virus also destroys infection-fighting cells in the bone marrow, further suppressing the immune systems of infected dogs. Puppies and unvaccinated animals under 6 months are more likely to contract and die from parvovirus. They are less equipped to fight off the infection since their immune systems have not matured as much.
Canine Parvovirus Symptoms
Parvovirus in dogs may cause symptoms from 3-7 days after infection.
Lethargy and a lack of appetite are common symptoms of infection in pups. Fever is also somewhat prevalent. As the infection spreads, your dog may get severe diarrhea and vomiting. Puppies with severe illnesses like dehydration or infection may have trouble breathing and become hypothermic.
Dog Parvovirus: Its Origins and Treatment
The parvovirus is highly contagious and quickly spreads. Although dogs cannot spread canine parvovirus via the air, the virus is widespread.
Contact with infected feces may transmit the virus, even if the feces are not visible. The infection is widespread and may be picked up from the floor, kennels, and even human hands. It's possible it can survive while clinging to fabric or inanimate things. Dogs may harbor the virus on their hair and paws if they have come into touch with infected objects.
The parvovirus is exceedingly hard to kill and may persist in the dog's surroundings for months, even years. However, it may be removed using diluted bleach and other treatments often found in veterinary facilities.
How Can You Identify Parvovirus Infection?
The symptoms of CPV are similar to those of other illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea, making a diagnosis of CPV challenging. The gold standards for confirming CPV infection are detecting anti-CPV antibodies in blood serum or virus antigens in stool samples.
Clinicians can screen for CPV with a simple blood test. It is possible for dogs infected with parvovirus to have negative results on stool tests. This happens only rarely. Making a provisional diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and a low white blood count (leukopenia) is common practice. If you require proof, you may send a sample of your stool or blood to a lab for testing. The absence of leukopenia does not rule out CPV infection. Some clinically unwell dogs may have healthy white blood cells.
Management of Parvovirus in Dogs
The only way to safeguard your pet against parvovirus is to have them vaccinated. Vaccines prime the immune system to identify parvovirus markers. This vaccine is very efficient and risk-free. Here are some of the ways to manage parvovirus in your pup:
Medicines
You could have recently ended an antibiotic treatment, and your puppy might be on medicine for vomiting and diarrhea. The puppy's medicine must be given exactly as indicated.
Diet
Your puppy's digestive system has suffered severe damage but is now recovering. It is usual for the stool to be loose at first or for a period when none is generated while the digestive system recovers. It will take your dog three to five days at home before poop starts to harden up. He needs to be more active and have a typical demeanor. Please call your vet promptly if diarrhea persists and vomiting happens if your puppy seems despondent.
After a lengthy period of eating little, your dog can be ravenously famished. Do not let your puppy overeat since this might cause stomach distress and diarrhea. Keep at least two hours between meals.
Don't deviate from the prescribed diet. Get on the diet recommended by your vet. You could be given a therapeutic diet to follow at home or be advised to prepare simple foods (such as white rice and boiling chicken or fat-free cottage cheese and spaghetti) on your own. Feed your dog according to the schedule prescribed by your doctor.
Exercise
Your dog will spread germs for a whole month. Visits to the park, the obedience school, and other nearby locations should be minimal. If your puppy is less than 16 weeks old, it has to be kept out of public until its vaccines are complete. While your puppy does not require vaccination for parvovirus, it does need vaccination for other infections.
Pets are a treasure and a privilege, and there’s nothing cuter than a new pet. Whether you’re a cat, dog, or snake person, there’s a pet out there to fit anyone’s personality! As a new future pet owner, it can be hard to find the right one for you, especially if you’ve never had pets before.
If it’s time to expand your family, but you don’t know which pet to add, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right pet for your household! Follow this guide and learn how to add the perfect pet and give them a loving and comfortable home!
Decide if you’re ready for pets
Before driving to the pet store to pick up your new family member, it’s important to take a moment to think. Think long and hard about whether your family is ready for a pet and how that pet will factor into your life. Pets cost money and need constant love and attention. Your family first needs to be financially and emotionally stable and available enough to take care of the pet. Pets are a huge responsibility, and it’s important to remember that when getting one and introducing them to the family. Do your research, take a long and hard look at your household and make the right decision.
Do your family members have allergies
Allergies can often make getting traditional pets for your family hard. Although it does make it more challenging, you can still have and love pets with allergies. Good, safe bets for pets include hairless cats, colorful freshwater fish, or certain breeds of dogs, rodents, and birds. Allergies can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening and it’s best not to take any chances if you’re not sure. Many people are allergic to different animals and aren’t even aware that they are! If you can, always check for allergies before, or foster your pet first before deciding to go all the way, to be on the safe side.
Get a pet that matches your family
When getting a new pet for your household, you want to make sure it can slot into your everyday life. When choosing a pet, you need to get one that matches your family both in what you like doing and how you like living. If you’re not an active family, don’t go for pets that have high energy or need lots of exercise. If your family lives in a smaller space, don’t go for big, dominating pets. If you’re someone who travels a lot, go for low-maintenance pets that are easier to take care of. Choosing the right pet is all about finding one that fits in with your household.
Think about your existing pets
Most families looking to get a new pet are often established pet owners already. When adding a new animal to your family, you cannot forget to think about your existing ones. Both your new and old pet need to be compatible and able to get along. They need to be safe for one another and not endanger each other. A good rule of thumb is to introduce your new pet to your existing one first, before adopting. Do this to see how they interact and if they could have a positive future together. Don’t risk the life of one pet for the excitement of having another!
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