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Health
Guide©
DOG
BITES
The seriousness
of a dog bite depends on the extent and area of tissue damage in the
wound, the amount of blood lost, and the presence of infection (tetanus,
in some cases) and rabies. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can
be transmitted to a person by the bite of an infected animal.
Symptoms:
- Puncture
wound or laceration.
- Bleeding.
- Pain,
which can be severe.
Complications:
- Severe
bleeding, if a main blood vessel is torn.
- Infection
of the wound, characterized by fever, inflammation, worsening pain,
and pus formation.
- Tetanus.
This is a disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal
cord). Due to an infection or wound by tetanus bacteria.
- Rabies,
an acute viral infection transmitted to humans by the bite of a rabid
animal.
- Death
due to rabies, or tetanus.
What
you can do:
- Wash
the wound thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection.
- Apply
antiseptic lotion and cover the wound with clean, dry dressing.
- If the
wound bleeds profusely, try to stop the bleeding.
- Consult
a doctor if there is severe bleeding, you are not immunized against
tetanus (or cannot remember the lost time you were immunized), or
you suspect the dog to be rabid.
- Do not
kill your pet dog after you are bitten. Observe the animal, if possible
for 10-14 days for signs for being rabid.
Prevention
Tips:
- Avoid
stray dogs.
- As much
as possible, have your dog immunize for rabies.
- Never
leave a child alone with a dog to avoid attacks or accidental biting.
- Send
your dog to expert obedience trainers so that it will heed commands
and not bite in play.
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