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Dog Bites to Children
A dog bite is traumatic no matter how old you are, but what if it is one of your children? Children are more likely to be seriously hurt by a dog bite than an adult, simply due to their size. Children normally have less respect around dogs as well, because they haven't lived long enough to develop that respect. If you are a parent or around children, it is essential you learn what to do in the case of a dog bite, so that you can care for the child bitten in the right way to prevent long-lasting damage. What is the first thing that you need to do in the case of a dog bite?
around dogs. Make sure your child is current with their tetanus vaccination, and if you have pets, make sure they are properly vaccinated too. Should a dog bite your child, separate them as fast as possible, tend to your child's wounds, and then tend to the emotional wounds you can't see.
Remove the child from the situation. Take the child to a safe place so that you can assess the damage. If it's a dog that you don't know, be sure you take note of its type of dog and color, so you can contact animal control. If it's your own dog, isolate the dog too. If the child is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound to help reduce the bleeding. After you stop the bleeding, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water, as dog bites often become infected. A visit to the doctor will be necessary to get an antibiotic (usually Augmentin) to help prevent infection.
If the bite is on the face or doesn't stop bleeding, you want to go to the nearest emergency room for treatment. Sutures may be needed to stop the bleeding and close the wound to protect it from infection and scaring. In some cases the wound may not be closed, because wounds can be more likely to get infected when closed, but a facial wound is often closed to help reduce scarring. The physician will determine the best course of action for your child's particular dog bite.
A tetanus shot is sometimes given if the child has not had one recently enough. Most children won't fit in this group, simply because this set of shots is given during normal immunizations for the most part. If your child is older or is not vaccinated, this shot may be necessary.
Rabies is the first thought that pops into most parents' minds when a child is bitten, but that's not very common in the United States any more. If it's a dog you are not familiar with, animal control will need to be contacted so they can capture the dog and watch it for up to two weeks to ensure it doesn't have rabies. A dog you are familiar with should have had its rabies shots, but be sure to ask the owner. Whether the dog that bit your child is familiar or not, it will need to be watched for approximately two weeks to see if its exhibits any signs of rabies.
A dog bite on a child will have both physical and mental repercussions. By helping your child to work through their feelings and taking care of them physically, you will soon find that they will be back to their healthy and happy selves.
Dog bites to children are traumatic, so take care to prevent it if possible. And be sure to treat the child's physical and emotional needs if bitten.
