Often people bite and domestic dogs, and even cats.
The main danger with dog bites is rabies. It is a fatal infection, transmitted with the saliva of mammals, mostly dogs (more than 50% of cases).
When the threat is eliminated, the dog is driven away, and the victim is reassured and brought to the senses. Being close to home, get to the bathroom sooner. With strong bites and worsening of health, immediately call an ambulance.
First of all, we treat the wound. Bleeding should not be afraid - on the contrary, it will prevent the saliva of the animal - perhaps the patient - from entering the body. Of course, everything is fine in moderation.
Wash with a warm soapy (from household soap) mortar for a few minutes. Some experts advise treating the wound with a solution of hydrogen peroxide. Skin around the bite treated with antiseptic - a solution of potassium permanganate, an alcohol solution of iodine or simply alcohol.
Dry the bite in sterile conditions and apply a bandage.
In case of severe bleeding, take measures to stop it using a tourniquet or bandage.
If any parts of the body (ears, fingers, etc.) are torn off at the bite, pack them in a clean plastic bag, indicate the victim's name on it and transfer it to the hospital when the victim is hospitalized.
If the dog is domestic - remembering the risk of infection with rabies, in which a fatal outcome is inevitable, if not begin treatment, request a certificate of vaccination of the dog from its owner. In case the dog is stray, immediately inform the state veterinary service about the case of dog attack on a person. Give information about the location of the animal to the catch specialists.
Address in the nearest traumatologic point - the traumatologist will help and will determine the damage caused by bites. In the medical institution will take and all the necessary measures to prevent rabies.
But what you do not need to do is help a rabies virus that could get into your body. The virus is aimed at the central nervous system. The incubation period lasts from 10 to 90 days, in accordance with it is assigned and the course of vaccination - at this time alone to influence your nervous system is completely unacceptable. We are talking about the use of alcohol and other drugs that depress the central nervous system.
In the mouth, on the claws and fur of the cat, many microorganisms live. Their ingression into the human body with bites or scratches can lead to complications, the development of infections and dangerous diseases. So it's fast and conscious to react to cat bites. First of all, it is also necessary to reveal whether the cat is not rabid.
As with dog bites, rinse the bitten place with warm water and soap; natural bleeding will help to remove some of the microorganisms wounded in the wound. The risk of further infection reduces the gauze bandage moistened with hydrogen peroxide. Do not use cotton wool for bandages, as it will subsequently be difficult to remove her remains from the wound surface. Referring to a doctor is necessary - to determine the course of treatment. However, take steps to find out whether the bitten (or scratched) animal is the carrier of any infection - show the cat to the vet. A cat suspected of rabies should be isolated.
It is more difficult if you are bitten by a stray cat. Here are just some of the consequences of contact with the teeth and claws of such animals:
- Purulent inflammation caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida - they can cause pneumonia, bacteremia. Through stings of domestic animals can be transmitted and staphylococcus.
- Felinosis (cat scratch disease) causes the bacteria Bartnella henselae and Afipia felis. It is an infectious disease (also called Mollyare's ravine and benign lymphoreticulosis), which develops as a result of scratching and biting of cats. The causative agents of felinosis parasitize on cats, less often on dogs, rodents and monkeys. In this case, the cats themselves do not suffer from them, since these bacteria are an integral part of the usual microflora in the cat's body. In almost 50% of cases, the ingress of these bacteria into the human body leads to the formation of papules, which can then be absorbed; further, lymph nodes are afflicted next to the damaged area of the skin. Products decay of tissues are the cause of intoxication (this will be indicated by malaise, headaches, fever), can cause allergic reactions. As a result of the action of toxins, the size of the spleen and liver can increase. In rare cases, the long-term effects of felinosis are meningitis, encephalitis and encephalomyelitis.
- Tularemia is an infectious disease that affects the human lymphatic system and, more dangerously, its skin, eyes and lungs. The susceptibility of people to this infection is almost 100%. Carriers of the pathogens - bacteria Francisella tularensis - can be cats, dogs, birds and rodents, as well as cattle. A person, even a sick person, is not a spreader of the disease. Infection occurs when processing skins, drinking contaminated water, eating, biting insects and mites, dogs and cats, and inhaling dust and other contacts with carriers. Bacteria get even through intact skin, mucous, respiratory tract, causing changes in the lymph nodes, similar to the symptoms of bubonic plague. The incubation period can last from 3-7 to 30 days. The first symptoms of the disease are fever (38-40 degrees), chills, headaches and muscle pains, weakness, anorexia, and fever that can last up to 2-3 months. Subsequently, pneumonia, infectious-toxic shock, rarely - meningitis and meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, polyarthritis can develop.
Given the above, we can say that the safety measures taken in time with the bites of pets will help to maintain your health and life.
Pay attention to prevention: protect yourself from contact with someone else's pets, whose conditions of detention you do not know. And your pets to regularly show the veterinarian to protect against possible dangers and them, and yourself.