Dog Bite Wounds And Injuries - How To Manage And Save Them From Infection
Dogs are man's best friend, but we can't forget that they're also animals. About 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, with half of those victims being children under the age of 9. According to the CDC, one in every five dog bite wounds and injuries causes serious enough harm to necessitate medical attention. Dog bites are more common in children than in adults. Even though stray or unknown dogs may attack, most dog bites occur from dogs that humans are familiar with, such as family pets or friends' dogs.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuNov 13, 2022140 Shares2.2K Views
Dogs are man's best friend, but we can't forget that they're also animals. About 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, with half of those victims being children under the age of 9. According to the CDC, one in every five dog bite wounds and injuriescauses serious enough harm to necessitate medical attention.
Dog bites are more common in children than in adults. Even though stray or unknown dogs may attack, most dog bites occur from dogs that humans are familiar with, such as family pets or friends' dogs.
The best method to protect yourself from the risks associated with dog bites is to get your own dog vaccinated against rabies and to avoid approaching strange dogs. Never pet an unfamiliar dog, no matter how cute it seems. Additionally, it's best to refrain from roughhousing or aggressively playing with any dogs, even familiar ones. Similarly, you should never interrupt a dog when it is resting, eating, or taking care of its pups.
Types Of Dog Bite Wounds
People who are bitten by dogs often recognize the animal that bit them. Children under the age of 15 are the most common victims of dog attacks, with those aged 5 to 9 years old being the most at risk. The most frequent area of a dog bite on a kid under the age of 10 is the head and neck, perhaps because a child's head is at or near the level of a big dog's jaws.
More often than not, older kids and adults will suffer injuries to their arms, legs, and especially their right hand. Dog bites may cause a variety of injuries, from superficial scrapes to severe lacerations, puncture wounds, crush wounds, and even amputations. Canine attacks are seldom fatal.
It's a well-known fact that some dog breeds have a higher bite rate than others. Most dog bite injuries are caused by German Shepherds, pit bull terriers, and mixed breeds.
How To Treat Dog Bite Wounds And Injuries
The danger of infection from germs may be minimized by promptly treating a dog bite. To evaluate the extent of the injury, you need to additionally examine it. You may be able to provide yourself with first aid in certain situations. In other circumstances, quick medical attention is required.
After getting bitten by a dog, whether it be your own or someone else's, you may feel frightened and vulnerable. Instead of driving oneself to the doctor or hospital, call for assistance if you feel you need medical treatment. Follow below steps to find out what to do if a dog bites you and how to avoid getting sick.
- Clean the cut with soap and warm water.
- Carefully apply pressure with a clean towel over the cut to stem the bleeding.
- Put some antibiotic cream on the cut.
- Wrap it with a clean bandage and bind it well.
- Look out for any symptoms of infection.
- Seek medical attention if the cut is serious, you fear infection, or you may have been exposed to rabies.
Doctor explains how to assess and treat dog bites
People Also Ask
How Long Does A Dog Bite Puncture Wound Take To Heal?
If a wound has been properly cleaned and treated, it should begin to heal in approximately three to four days.
How Do You Treat A Wound On A Dog Bite?
- Apply direct pressure with a clean, dry towel to the cut to staunch the bleeding.
- Treat the cut with soap and water.
- Put some antibiotic cream on the cut.
- Apply a clean, dry bandage.
- An immediate medical response is required in the case of a bite on the neck, face, hand, finger, or foot.
What Injuries Can A Dog Bite Cause?
Serious injuries can result from dog bites. Damage to the head and neck include cuts, broken bones, injured eyes, and scarring.
Final Words
When neglected, effects from dog bite wounds and injuries may be life-threatening. Dog bites can lead to more serious complications, such as bacterial infections, so it's crucial to get any signs of illness checked out very once.
Suleman Shah
Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences.
Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA).
Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju
Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality.
Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence.
Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
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