Why are dog and cat bites so dangerous?
Most dog bites in Germany are caused by dogs, with cats being the second most common culprit. A dog or cat bite is not only painful, it can also be dangerous. Firstly, the bite injures skin and tissue; in deep bite wounds, tendons, joints, or bones can also be damaged. Secondly, bacteria residing in the animal's mouth can enter the bitten person's body and spread. In rare cases, pathogens causing infectious diseases such as rabies , tetanus , or leptospirosis can also be transmitted. Therefore, a serious bite injury should always be carefully treated and given first aid.
Risk of infection from dog and cat bites
Between 10 and 20 percent of all bite injuries result in infection. The risk of infection depends on the health of the person bitten and the animal responsible for the bite. For example, the risk of infection is higher with cat bites than with dog bites. The location of the bite and the severity of the injury also play a role. The risk is higher if the bite wounds are located on the following parts of the body:
- hand
- Foot
- Face
- genitals
The risk of infection is also increased if bones, joints, or tendons are affected, if the wound is deep or contaminated, or if the tissue is severely damaged. People whose immune systems are weakened by pre-existing conditions, as well as newborns and infants, are also more susceptible to infections.
Special caution is advised in the case of cat bites.
A cat bite often appears small and is frequently only noticeable at the bite marks. The actual depth of injury from a cat bite is therefore often underestimated, and the danger goes unrecognized. Cat teeth, especially the incisors, are sharper and finer than a dog's. As a result, they penetrate deeper into the tissue when they bite. Depending on the force of the bite, the internal injury can extend not only into deep tissue layers but, in some cases, even to the bone. Because the animal's teeth and saliva are heavily colonized by bacteria, pathogens can penetrate deep into the wound and multiply there.
What to do in case of a dog or cat bite?
If you are not vaccinated against tetanus, you should seek medical attention for any bite injury , and outside of Germany in a rabies-endemic area, even if the animal that caused the bite may have been in an endemic area.
In the event of a bite, you can do the following to minimize the risk of wound infection:
- Wait until the bleeding (if there is any) stops.
- Rinse the wound with clear, lukewarm water.
- Disinfect the wound with a wound disinfectant.
- Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and a gauze bandage – or a plaster if the wound is small.
- Keep the affected area of the body as still as possible until you can see a doctor.
- Please bring your vaccination record with you to the doctor's office for a vaccination status check.
A wound infection and signs of inflammation can appear after 12 to 24 hours, but also only after several days. The following symptoms may indicate a wound infection:
- Redness
- Swelling
- purulent discharges
- throbbing pain
- general malaise and fever
How is a dog or cat bite treated?
A dog or cat bite should be treated by a doctor to prevent infection. The doctor will first rinse the wound to clean the bite channel of pathogens and disinfect it. The injury will then be examined for signs of infection and for damage to muscles , nerves, or blood vessels. If an infection is present, a blood test will be performed to identify the pathogen and enable more targeted treatment. An antibiotic will be administered if necessary . In most cases, an antibiotic is given preventively for three to five days for bites on the face or hand.
The vaccination status is also checked. If tetanus protection is not present or is unknown, it must be boosted immediately. The wound is usually not stitched. In cases of severe bite injuries, fractures, or heavily infected wounds, surgery may be necessary to remove the infected tissue.
© iStock / FamVeld
What can happen if a bite is left untreated?
If a bite wound is left untreated or inadequately treated, the risk of infection increases. A local infection at the bite site can develop into a systemic infection , in which the pathogen spreads throughout the body. In the worst-case scenario, and as a last resort, amputation may even be necessary to stop the spreading infection. Impaired mobility due to untreated damage to tissue, tendons, muscles, or bones, as well as as a consequence of surgery, is also possible.
In isolated cases, a dog or cat bite can even lead to death: The highly infectious germs found in the oral flora of dogs and cats can trigger life-threatening blood poisoning ( sepsis ), meningitis , or endocarditis.
However, dog or cat bites only rarely take such a severe course. If the wound is treated properly and signs of inflammation are watched for, no long-term consequences or serious infections are to be expected after a cat or dog bite.
How can I protect myself from animal bites?
Dog and cat bites can often be avoided by behaving correctly. Therefore, parents should educate their children about the proper way to interact with pets from an early age. Children are particularly prone to bite injuries because they cannot yet judge when an animal feels threatened and begins to defend itself. Children should learn early on that pets are not "cuddly toys" or playthings, but sensitive creatures that must be treated with respect. The following rules of conduct when interacting with dogs and cats should be followed by both adults and children:
- Aggressive behavior, such as pulling the animal's tail or throwing objects at it, is taboo.
- Make your presence known when approaching a dog or cat so that the animal is not frightened.
- Don't run away if a dog runs towards you. This will trigger its hunting instinct. Instead, stand still and look away from the dog.
- Do not take food away from a dog, it could become aggressive.
- Generally, avoid looking directly into a dog's eyes; instead, look at its ears or body. Also, avoid raising your arms.
source : https://www.aok.de/pk/magazin/koerper-psyche/immunsystem/hunde-und-katzenbisse-sind-gefaehrlich-was-sie-tun-sollten/
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