Dog bite repair

In my practice I have seen some terrible wounds from dog bites, and these bites were not from vicious, stray dogs. In many cases, the dog happened to be the beloved family pet, and the victim was a young child who actually loved the dog. In fact, the vast majority of biting dogs (77%) belong to the victim's family or a friend. It is very sad to see these wounds, but there are things that I can advise you to do to prevent dog bites from happening in the first place. - Henri P. Gaboriau, MD

Each year about 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children. It is not entirely possible to know in advance whether a dog will bite. Even the nicest, gentlest dogs have been known to bite if they are not being treated correctly. If you do not know the dog there are some steps to take.

WASP - Instructs people to approach only leashed dogs accompanied by their owner.

• W - Wait and watch the dog's body language (It is important to recognize angry, afraid and happy dogs).
• A - Ask the owner for permission to pet the animal.
• S - Let the pet sniff you.
• P - Pet the dog in the direction of his fur.

Warning About Dog Bites!

Any dog bite should be seen by a medical professional immediately in order to make certain that the wound is thoroughly cleansed and to be proactive about the type of scar that is created.  Otherwise the wound can heal with a very bad scar.

The Seattle Times September 11, 2008

Staying calm is key to dealing with an aggressive dog

A number of steps can be taken to protect against aggressive dogs. Experts say staying calm is key .http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008172252_safety11.html

The Seattle Times October 11, 2008

Dog bite victims suffer long after attack

When dog attacks make headlines, they can spark heated debate, but the furor often dies down within days or weeks. The victims, however, suffer for years if not for a lifetime with physical pain and nerve damage, emotional shock from disfigurement, and the financial toll of repeated surgeries and therapy. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008254586_dogbitevictims11m.html

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