How to treat a dog's bite in children

The dog is probably the most wanted companion animal , the most affectionate, the most faithful, the best friend of man, they say. In addition, dogs are a constant wake-up call for children. That warm plush toy that plays, runs and puts funny faces is so 'achuchable' that it is impossible to resist

The dog is probably the most wanted companion animal, the most affectionate, the most faithful, the best friend of man, they say. In addition, dogs are a constant wake-up call for children. That warm plush toy that plays, runs and puts funny faces is so 'achuchable' that it is impossible to resist the temptation to give her a caress.

And the dogs respond. They have as a sixth sense to realize that this brat that pulls the hair and cheeks, is nothing more than a baby of a human being, and should be pampered like any other puppy. However, sometimes dogs bite. By mistake, by defense, by fear, but they bite. And parents must be clear about what needs to be done.

What to do if a dog bites our child

1. First, not hit the dog as immediate revenge. This attitude is worthy of primitive beings and unfit for a rational being. In addition, it is very likely that the animal has no fault, and our violence will only generate more violence, so we must remain calm.

2. Try to clarify the facts: It is necessary to know the circumstances in which the bite took place. It is necessary to determine if it was an accident while the child was playing with the dog, which is the most frequent situation, or if the bite was unprovoked, a fact that could reflect the probability of rabies infection. Es 3. It is obligatory to ask and

to know the vaccination status , both of the victim and the aggressor, as well as of the clinical state of the dog at the time of the attack. It is also ideal that there is the possibilityof examination and monitoring of the dog by a veterinarian for at least ten days. 4.

Take care of our children: Wash the wound as soon as possible with soap and water, cleaning all visible dirt. In case of affected arms or legs, it is recommended to raise the affected limb and immobilize it. En 5. In any case, it is recommended to go to the pediatrician

of the health center or to pediatric emergencies, since surgical advice, x-rays and / or prescribing antibiotics may be necessary. How dog bites affect children Dog bites are, by far, the most frequent

. Luckily, the possibility of infection of this type of bites is low (5-15%). In adolescents and older children, extremities are the most affected regions. However, in infants and young children, injuries to the face and neck are more frequent, and always need assessment by a pediatric surgeon.

In theory, and in general,the most dangerous dogs are those trained for defense or attack

. Some breeds, such as pit bull, doberman or rottweiler, can lead to more serious bites, mainly due to the characteristics and strength of their jaws, and not so much to their reputation as violent dogs. If a dog is aggressive, the first one to study is the owner, not the dog. How to avoid dog bites in childrenWe should not be afraid of dogs, especially since our fear will also be transmitted to our children.

Do not prevent them from approaching, playing with them and caressing them for hours

. Let's teach them that when they move their tails and bark, they are usually happy, but that other signs such as low-pitched grunts, or if they lift their lips and show their teeth, may be signs of aggressiveness, and it may be wise to get away from them prudently. We must also tell our childrenthat it is not appropriate to disturb the dogs while they eat or hold objects in their mouths that they consider their property, as well as not try to move them from their resting place. In the case of stray dogs, or in countries where cases of rabies are more common, prudence should mark our approach to these faithful friends. And if there is bad luck, in case of bite, consult your pediatrician.