Source: Dr. Kate Stenske, 785-532-4282, kstenske@vet.k-state.edu
Video available: http://www.youtube.com/kstate
News release prepared by: Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, 785-532-6415, ebarcomb@k-state.edu

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Pet Bite Injuries:
K-STATE VETERINARIAN SHARES TIPS TO MINIMIZE RISK OF BITES AND BITE-RELATED INFECTIONS

MANHATTAN -- When a 1xbet best casino website or cat bites, an infection can follow.

&1xbet best casino website ;Wounds that are most likely to become infected are those on the face and hands or when people wait more than eight hours before seeking medical attention,&1xbet best casino website ; said Dr. Kate Stenske, a clinical assistant professor at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. &1xbet best casino website ;If you are bitten, first wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and then call your physician right away.&1xbet best casino website ;

Stenske 1xbet best casino website that bite wounds can become infected because dogs and cats both harbor a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in their mouths. Bites are an ideal way for bacteria to be transmitted, she 1xbet best casino website , because teeth damage tissue, making it more prone to infection.

&1xbet best casino website ;Cats especially have very sharp little teeth, so they can inject bacteria deep into a person's skin without causing much of an external wound,&1xbet best casino website ; Stenske said. &1xbet best casino website ;Some of the more common bacteria we worry about are Pasteurella, Bacteroides, Fusobacterium and Streptococcus. We also worry about the potential spread of the rabies virus from animals to people through bite wounds.&1xbet best casino website ;

Some bite-induced infections can't be blamed on pets, she 1xbet best casino website . Bite wounds can be contaminated with bacteria people carry on their skin, rather than bacteria from the pet's mouth.

Bites are a public health concern, she 1xbet best casino website . According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by a dog each year. Most dog bites, Stenske 1xbet best casino website , are from dogs owned by the victim's family, friends or neighbors.

&1xbet best casino website ;Children ages 5-9, especially boys, are at greatest risk of dog bites and tend to have the most severe injuries, probably because of their size and proximity to dogs, their loud noises, fast movements, unintentional provoking, and not understanding the dog's body language.&1xbet best casino website ;

Stenske 1xbet best casino website it's important to understand that any dog can bite, even cute, friendly dogs you have known for years.

&1xbet best casino website ;If they are put in a new and threatening situation, they may bite,&1xbet best casino website ; she said.

To minimize the risk, she said it helps to recognize subtle signs of fear, nervousness or aggression in a dog. It also helps to neuter your dog or cat, train and socialize them and use a leash when outside. When it comes to strange dogs, Stenske said, it's best to never approach them. If a strange dog approaches you, she said veterinarians advise children to &1xbet best casino website ;stand still like a tree,&1xbet best casino website ; or if on the ground to &1xbet best casino website ;curl up like a rock.&1xbet best casino website ;

&1xbet best casino website ;Waving your arms, running or making noise will keep the dog's interest, while staying perfectly still will encourage the dog to walk away,&1xbet best casino website ; she said.

For more information on 1xbet best casino website bite prevention, Stenske suggests visiting the American Veterinary Medical Association's Web site at: http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/