Texas EMS Magazine, Volume 17, Number 3, May/June 1996 Page: 25
66 p. : col. ill.View a full description of this periodical.
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tained injuries to the face and head,
as opposed to 20 percent of the
adolescent and adult victims. The
difference is due in part to the
height of the bite victim. Since 1980,
23 fatalities have occurred in Texas
due to dog bites; 17 of the victims
were less than eleven years of age.
The Role of the EMS
Assess the injury. The alert EMT
will realize that the majority of dog
bite injuries in a small child occur to
the head and neck. Assessment of
the airway and breathing efforts are
critical; however, you should be
watchful for signs of hemorrhage,
particularly the jugular veins or
carotid arteries. Intracranial trauma
is common, due to cerebral contu-
sions, hemorrhage, and skull frac-
tures, and must be addressed. All
head injuries should be treated
according to locally-accepted proto-
cols with additional concern and
assessment techniques used to locate
potential crushing skull injuries or a
wound with protruding brain mat-
ter.
Rabies prevention With any
animal bite, there is also concern
about rabies. Immediately washing
the wound effectively removes the
rabies virus in many instances,
thereby reducing the risk of rabies
and other bacterial infections. The
recommended procedure includes
flushing the wound with clear water
for one minute followed by cleans-
ing with soap and water. Locally-
developed protocol should address
this simple, yet often overlooked,
component of rabies prevention.
Promptly notify the animal control
officials. As soon as a reported
animal bite has been received,
telecommunicatores should activateanimal control officers as part of the
primary response sequence. With
prompt notification, animal control
officers stand a much better chance
of apprehending the biting dog and
quarantining it for rabies observa-
tion. Otherwise, if the animal is
allowed to escape, the chances
increase greatly that the individual
will have to undergo shots for rabies
prevention. Not only is the series of
five injections over a four-week
period uncomfortable and time-
consuming for the bite victim, theBite Prevention
Never leave infants and young children unsupervised
around any dog, even if it is the family pet.
Make sure the family pet receives plenty of extra
attention when a new baby is brought into the home
so the pet doesn't feel jealous or that its position in
the household is being threatened.
Spay or neuter the dog. It will reduce aggression but
not protectiveness. Dogs who have not been spayed
or neutered can be up to three times as likely to bite
as those who have been sterilized.
Avoid breeds that have a reputation for aggression or
unpredictable behavior. Local animal shelters would
be happy to share this information.
Train and socialize the puppy early in its life. Do not
tolerate any aggression. Even a single nip is too much.
Teach children basic safety around animals.
Don't approach strange dogs.
Avoid obviously dangerous situations such as disturb-
ing a dog who's sleeping, eating, or caring for pup-
pies.
Let the animal sniff the back of your hand when
being "introduced" to it.
Realize that a slowly-wagging tail may mean fear or
apprehension rather than friendliness, and that when
a dog shows its teeth, it isn't smiling.
Running from a dog may provoke attack because
dogs naturally chase predators. Don't make eye
contact; the dog may consider it a challenge.Texas EMS Magazine May/June 1996
25
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Texas. Department of State Health Services. Texas EMS Magazine, Volume 17, Number 3, May/June 1996, periodical, May 1996; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1507922/m1/25/: accessed June 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.