Dogs: A guide to prevent our best friends from harming us!
Ari: hard at work in the hammock. She’s so chill that she has been bitten by kids and just lay there…
Full disclaimer: I am a huge dog lover and am so pleased that I have been able to train my own dog, Ari, to be certified as a therapy dog! That being said, as a pediatrician, I am mindful of the harm that dogs can cause children. I strongly believe that awareness is the best prevention.
There are over 45 million dog owners in the United States with over 63 million dogs (and these numbers are pre-pandemic!). Each year, there are over 4.7 million dog bites. About 350,000 children end up in the emergency room from dog bites. While dogs can spread similar diseases to cats, their bites do the real damage.
Dog bites can be broken down into different types based on ages. Fatalities from dog bites are extremely rare — but when they happen, they happen in kids less than 10. Bites occur most commonly in boys, ages 5 - 10 (not shocking). Children less than four are most often bitten in the head and neck. Older children are typically bitten in the extremities.
Common sense is the best way to avoid dog bites. Any dog, no matter how docile and well-trained, will bite under the right circumstances. Teach children never to approach strangers’ dogs without permission. Even if permission is granted, still be extremely cautious! You don’t know what any dog’s trigger might be.
Don’t leave toddlers alone with dogs, especially older dogs. Toddlers have poor motor control and a loving pat can be a grabbing pinch or lead to a topsy-turvy tumble onto a dog — triggering an instinctual, protective bite response from a dog. Most dogs also don’t like chaos — which is one more reason to never leave unattended children and dogs together.
I am all for rescued dogs - and a majority of my pets have always been rescue animals. However, the downside of rescued animals is their unknown past. It is very true that formative, traumatic experiences shape a dog and will always be with that dog.experiences. Extensive training and rehab can help these animals, but does not fully ensure a dog’s obedience and responses. Be extra cautious allowing your children around rescue dogs.
If your child is unfortunate enough to get bitten by a dog, here are important steps to take:
Obtain current rabies information about the dog. If there is no rabies information available, immediately take your child to the emergency room to receive (most likely) rabies immunoglobulin shots (ie, a series of shots to prevent rabies).
Call your pediatrician. Superficial wounds on arms, legs and torso can likely be cleaned thoroughly and closely monitored at home. Any wounds to the hands, face or genital area necessitate a visit to the doctor, and likely antibiotics. The general consensus is that most dog bites should not be stitched closed, unless on the face.
Enough about bites — let’s move on to diseases. Basically, dogs can transmit the same diseases that cats can (see prior blog) — but can also share some additionally nasty illnesses. Most of these diseases can be avoided by keeping your dog healthy, and taking them in annually to see their vet!
Dog feces can contain a lot of bad stuff, including three different types of worms. Tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms are all transmitted by contact with fecal material, and the soil adjacent to it (no pooping allowed in children’s play areas!). Salmonella, Camplyobacter, and Giardia are GI illness in people, (ie, cause diarrhea) that are transmitted in the same way. Get your dogs de-wormed! Don’t let them drink still water.
Dogs carry fleas and ticks; therefore, dogs can indirectly give you Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Babeosis, Toxocara Canis, etc. It is so important to make sure that your animals are tick and flea-free.
Don’t let your dogs eat trash, or drink non-potable water. Your toilet water counts as non-potable water. This a great way to break disease cycles.
Keep your dogs vaccinated — that goes without saying. Rabies shots are important!
Dogs are truly THE BEST. They give love, companionship, a sense of well-being. With a little savviness, you can ensure that they don’t accidentally harm you and your loved ones in the process.
Personalized Pediatrics of Maine strives to be the best Pediatric office in the state of Maine!
Link to ASPCA and dog safety:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-bite-prevention
