Caring For Dog And Cat Bites To Prevent Infection
It is sad, but true, that our most beloved pets, cats and dogs, are much more likely to bite us than are wild animals. Our close association with both of these is the reason for this, and children are very often the target of animal aggression. Dogs and cats will attack people if they feel their food is threatened, if they are afraid, if play gets out of hand, of it they are startled out of sleep. Some dog breeds are more aggressive by nature, and poor breeding practices can sometimes result in mentally unstable dogs. Always back away from an animal that is growling or snarling, they are warning you off. Explain these warning signs to your children.
Children should always be supervised by an adult when around either cats or dogs, especially very young children who may not be aware of how to behave properly with an animal. A dog that is abused or teased will have a much greater chance of biting than one that is treated with respect. Hundreds of thousands of people receive medical care for cat and dog bites every year. However, in nearly 20 years of living in close company with French Bulldogs, I have never, ever been bitten by any of these dogs.
Why Are These Bites Potentially Dangerous?
There are bacteria in the mouth of every living creature – dogs, cats, lizards, human beings; all contain a lively colony of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are beneficial and help to break down food, a good many are neutral, but some can be harmful, especially if introduced into a wound, such as a bite. Although it was thought for years that allowing a dog to lick a cut or other injury would help it to heal more quickly, this is not true, and can lead to a serious infection.
The mouths of dogs and cats contain Pasteurella bacteria as well as Staphylococcal and Streptococcal bacteria. All of these bacteria can cause potentially dangerous infections that can lead to fever. The site of the bite may show signs of inflammation first, becoming red and swollen and oozing pus. At any sign of infection, medical care should be sought.
First Aid For Animal Bites
The bites delivered by dogs and cats differ as the teeth of these animals are not the same. Dogs have fairly blunt teeth, and some breeds (such as French Bulldogs) have relatively small teeth. Most of the damage from a dog bite comes from the strength of the dog’s jaw, which can provide hundreds of pounds of force. Because of the structure of the dog’s teeth, however, the bite will be fairly open and there is only a 3% to 18% chance of subsequent infection.
Bites to the hands and face will have to be seen by a doctor, especially if occurring in children. The hands are relatively delicate and have tendons and nerves within easy reach of a bite. As less blood reaches the hands proportionately than other parts of the body, it is also more difficult for the immune system defenses to deal with injuries here. Facial bites are seen more often in children as their small size leaves them closer to the animal’s mouth, and as disfigurement can result easily, these bites are best treated by medical professionals.
The teeth of cats, however, are narrow and very sharp and can easily penetrate deeply into the flesh. It is relatively easy for these bites to cause damage to the tendons or even bones, especially if received on the hands. Cat bites also carry a very high risk of infection, with up to 80% of these bites becoming infected.
The first thing to do if you or someone else is bitten by a dog or cat is to wash the wound off with soap and water. Flush it generously with water to remove as much of the saliva as possible. Bleeding from the wound can probably be handled with pressure. If it is a relatively minor wound, you will not have to seek medical care at this point. After washing the bite, put an adhesive bandage or gauze pad over the injury.
Bear in mind that at the first sign of infection, or if the animal has not received a rabies vaccination, medical advice must be sought.
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