Dogs are known as Man's Best Friend – in the US, almost 40% of households own at least one dog. These canine companions decrease stress, increase our exercise levels, and are playmates for children. But sometimes man’s best friend will bite. In addition to causing pain, injury, or nerve damage, dog bites can become infected, putting the bite victim at risk for illness or in rare cases death.
The thought of a dog attack is scary, so if you work or live around dogs, be aware of the risks and learn how to enjoy being around dogs without getting bitten.
Beware the Risks
Statistically, children are more susceptible to dog bites than adults. Injuries tend to be more severe in children and should be supervised when around canines. Over 50% of dog bites are from household dogs to individuals that live in the home.
What to do After an Attack
First Take Care of you Medical Needs. Clean any wounds with Soap and Water as quickly as possible. Once you have cleaned the wounds, apply antibiotic cream and cover with a sterile bandage and seek medical attention. Depending on the severity of the wounds, you may have to call 911. If the wounds are severe and bleeding, keep firm pressure on the wound using a clean, dry cloth. Find Out What You Can About The Dog. The more you know about the dog the more you will know how to treat your injuries. Find out if the dog has been vaccinated, if the dog has an owner and if the animal was acting strange.
Report The Attack
There is always an underlying risk of rabies when getting bitten by an animal. Consider reaching out to your local animal control or police department to report the accident. If you know the owner of the dog, get their name, address and phone number. Ask them for rabies vaccine records and who the dog's veterinarian is. Potential Diseases You Can Get From a Dog Bite In about 20% of dog bites, the victim will also contract a disease from the bite. As most are aware, there are over 50 kinds of bacteria in a dog's mouth. Some of which are harmful to humans such as Rabies, Capnocytophaga Bacteria, Pasteurella, MRSA and Tetanus.
Beware the Risks
Statistically, children are more susceptible to dog bites than adults. Injuries tend to be more severe in children and should be supervised when around canines. Over 50% of dog bites are from household dogs to individuals that live in the home.
What to do After an Attack
First Take Care of you Medical Needs. Clean any wounds with Soap and Water as quickly as possible. Once you have cleaned the wounds, apply antibiotic cream and cover with a sterile bandage and seek medical attention. Depending on the severity of the wounds, you may have to call 911. If the wounds are severe and bleeding, keep firm pressure on the wound using a clean, dry cloth. Find Out What You Can About The Dog. The more you know about the dog the more you will know how to treat your injuries. Find out if the dog has been vaccinated, if the dog has an owner and if the animal was acting strange.
Report The Attack
There is always an underlying risk of rabies when getting bitten by an animal. Consider reaching out to your local animal control or police department to report the accident. If you know the owner of the dog, get their name, address and phone number. Ask them for rabies vaccine records and who the dog's veterinarian is. Potential Diseases You Can Get From a Dog Bite In about 20% of dog bites, the victim will also contract a disease from the bite. As most are aware, there are over 50 kinds of bacteria in a dog's mouth. Some of which are harmful to humans such as Rabies, Capnocytophaga Bacteria, Pasteurella, MRSA and Tetanus.