Beware of cat, dog bites, take necessary precautions: Doctors advice

Doctors therefore urge the public to be extremely cautious in such situations.Be it in the case of cats or dogs, being careful is extremely essential. “With the Western culture being developed by many, especially youngsters, it has become more fashionable to have pets and to be called animal friendly. It is therefore not surprising that this is going to continue to be on the rise,” said Dr Dhanasekaran Krishnan from the Stanley Medical College and Hospital. 

While there should be a provision for having the animals immunised regularly, he said that it is practically not possible. “Animal protection groups also voice their opposition against picking them off the streets, so these animals are going to continue to parade the streets. Therefore, it is best to be careful on your part. Get a tetanus injection if you have not taken one in six months and if you get scratched or bitten, always consult a doctor as he or she can prescribe the treatment based on the mode of injury and the depth of it,” he added.

Stressing on prevention being better than cure, he said that it is always best to be cautious of stray animals that roam the streets as one can never tell what diseases they have and how dangerous they can be.

In the case of cat bites, it is important to see a doctor within eight hours, said Dr S K Kumaran, a General Practitioner. “Cats that are sickly can cause terrible infections. Besides, it can be worse for those with diabetes. Even if there is no bleeding, it is important that the victim press the wound to cause some bleeding. This will help move the bacteria from the wound. It is important that wound be washed and cleaned lightly. After these steps are taken, meeting the doctor is most essential,” he added.

In the case of dogs, although strays or other strange dogs can bite, most of the time people are actually bitten by a dog they know, which could be a friend’s dog or even the family pet. “On many occasions, people tend to take the matter lightly because it is a dog they know. Seeing a doctor then too is essential,” he said.

No bite should be sutured. It must be kept open and cleaned, he said. “Although you can provide first aid for a dog bite at home, seeing a doctor and getting necessary treatment is important. It is very important to see a doctor, especially if an unfamiliar dog bit you. If the bite is deep, you cannot stop the bleeding, or there are any signs of infection (such as redness, swelling, warmth, pus and the like), it must not be ignored,” stated the doctor, adding that dog bites can cause infections that need to be treated with antibiotics.