A Few Facts about Animal Bites

By Dr. Shawn Messonnier

_Dogs are responsible for 80 percent to 90 percent of animal bites, with cats being responsible for most of the remainder. Most bites are unprovoked and one-third involve the family pet.

_Children tend to be bitten on the face and neck, while adults are usually bitten on the extremities. Children with neck bites can die from trauma to the carotid artery, and their injuries are usually more severe.

_Extensive injury is often seen with pit bull bites, as they can bite with a force of up to 450 PSI. They also grind their molars when biting, which adds to the severity of the bite.

However, in my practice, most of the pit bulls I treat are very sweet dogs! While there are efforts to make laws regarding so-called "dangerous breeds," I am opposed to these laws because any dog can bite a person. In my experience, while certain breeds may be implicated in bites more than other breeds, and while bites from certain breeds can be more severe than bites from other breeds, I hate to implicate all members of a certain breed as "bad."

_Most cat bites become infected due to the deeper puncture. Dog bites are less commonly infected as these bites are usually more superficial.

_Prompt and thorough wound care plus antibiotics is important to treatment. I would also use herbs and homeopathics to boost the immune system and minimize pain, swelling and inflammation.

Source: Dallas Morning News, The (TX), Jun 06, 2006