Lecture 31 11/8/24 Flashcards
How many people are bitten by dogs each year in the US?
4.5 million
Who are the most common victims of dog bites?
children
What are ways to prevent dog bites in children?
-responsible pet ownership
-education
-avoiding risky situations
How many dog bite victims require medical attention?
1 in 5
What percent of animal bites that require medical attention are inflicted by dogs?
90%
How many deaths occur from dog bites in the US each year, on average?
43
What are the characteristics of the most common dog bites?
-male children 5-9 years old
-warm weather
-afternoon timing
Where on the body do most dog bites occur?
-hands and arms in adults
-head/neck/face in children
What are avulsion bites?
skin torn away from underlying tissue and bone
What are laceration bites?
hole with surrounding tissue torn
Which dogs have greatest biting force?
large brachycephalic dogs
What type of bite is most common in cat bites?
puncture bites
Which age groups are most likely to be hospitalized for dog bites?
-elderly
-children
What are the risk factors for dog bites in terms of the dog?
-intact male
-purebred
-multi-dog household
-certain breeds
What are the risk factors for dog bites in terms of the owner?
-resident’s income is less than county median
-adult male owners
-misinterpretation of animal signaling
How many cat bites occur annually in the US?
400,000
What are the characteristics of most common cat bites?
-female adults
-injury to hand
-occurs during petting or feeding
-occupational risk
What are signs of aggression in cats?
-pupillary dilation
-stillness/tense body
-ears flattened backwards
-piloerection of hair
-erect tail
-arched back
-tail tucked under body
What is the infection rate in dog bites in the US?
18%
What is the infection rate in cat bites in the US?
50%
What are the characteristics of bite wound infection with Pasteurella multocida?
-multiple pathogens can be involved
-Pasteurella multocida isolated from majority of dogs and cats
-bacterial transmission through saliva via scratch, bite, or lick
-short incubation period, up to 24 hours
-cellulitis and osteomyelitis occur in humans
What are the characteristics of bite wound infection with Capnocytophaga canimorphus?
-normal oral flora in majority of dogs and cats
-rare infection; occurs in immunocompromised individuals
-bite not needed to transmit
-complications include septicemia, meningitis, and endocarditis
Which cat bites are most likely to result in hospitalization?
those that occur over joints
What are the characteristics of Bartonella henselae?
-gram-neg. bacillus
-found in kittens
-transmitted through bites, scratches, and licks
-incubation period of 3-14 days
-causes lymphadenopathy
-most common in children and immunocompromised individuals
What are the characteristics of Streptobacillus moniliformis?
-spread by rats
-uncommon
-spread via bites, scratches, mucous membrane contact, and contact with food/water contaminated w/ urine
-incubation period of 3-10 days
-clinical signs including fever, vomiting, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain
-complications including hepatitis, nephritis, pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, and death
What are the characteristics of herpesvirus B?
-infects old world primates
-transmitted to humans via scratches and bites
-incubation period of 2 days to 5 weeks
-clinical signs in humans include flu-like symptoms, encephalitis, and death
-no vaccine
What factors make wound infection more likely?
-victim greater than 50 years old
-puncture wounds
-bites on hands
-treatment delayed more than 24 hours
-inadequate initial irrigation and debridement
What are the steps to handling a minor bite wound?
-wash with soap and water
-apply antibiotic cream
-cover with clean bandage
When should a minor bite wound be elevated to a healthcare provider?
-clinical signs of infection
-unknown rabies vaccination status/animal acting strange
-greater than 5 years since last tetanus vx
-immunocompromised or asplenic individuals
-bites to face, hand, or foot
What are the steps to handling a major bite wound?
-apply pressure to stop bleeding
-see a healthcare provider ASAP
What are the potential components of treatment for a bite wound?
-irrigation
-debridement
-suturing
-antibiotics
Which dogs bite most often?
-intact males
-terriers, working, herding, non-sporting dogs
-lower income neighborhood
-owned by family/known to victim
Which situation leads to the greatest percentage of death from dog bites?
unrestrained dogs on owner’s property
What are the preventable factors in dog bite-related fatalities?
-able-bodied person around to intervene
-incidental/no relationship to dog
-dog was intact
What are the issues with breed-specific laws?
-dogs go into hiding
-good owners and dogs are punished
-impart a false sense of security
-may encourage irresponsible ownership
What are the characteristics of owner knowledge surrounding dog bites and dog behavior?
-general lack of knowledge
-females more knowledgeable than males
-mothers more knowledgable than males and non-parent females
How can dog bites best be prevented?
-early socialization
-responsible pet ownership
-avoiding risky situations
-learning animal body language
What are the risk factors for animals to carry MRSA?
-live with an immunocompromised person
-live with human healthcare workers
-live with vet clinic personnel
-involved in hospital therapeutic visits
How can MRSA spread between animals and people be reduced?
-good hygiene/washing hands
-reducing facial and nasal contact with known carriers
