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BEWARE OF DOG |
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As a plastic surgeon, dog bites can be one some of the most
challenging reconstructive procedures I face. On average there are
over 334,000 people who go to the emergency room each year in the
United States for dog bite treatment. Most victims are children with
the face or neck being injured a majority of the time. People
usually believe that rabies is still the reason children die after
dog bites, but there have only been 22 cases in the U.S. from 1990
to 1996. The dog bite itself is really the problem. The bites can
range from merely a scratch to severe injuries, requiring multiple
operations and leaving a child permanently disfigured. There are
approximately 20 children who die each year from dog attacks. It is
important to recognize that 58% of all dog bites occur at home and
many are thought to be preventable. Here are some guidelines for dog
bite prevention:
1) Never leave an infant or young child alone with any dog.
2) Teach children not to approach unfamiliar or stray dogs.
3) Never disturb a dog while its eating, sleeping, or tied up.
4) When attempting to pet a dog, ask the owner for permission first,
then approach the dog slowly with your hand out and the palm facing
downwards. Make no sudden movements and allow the dog to check you
out first.
5) If a dog does attack, it is best to stay still or play dead to
minimize further biting.
6) Seek medical treatment for all animal bites. |
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Dr
M. Hueneke: DOG
BITE PREVENTION
