ACAZAP RECOMMENDATIONS continued
- Chemical restraint (sedation or anaesthesia) can be used to enable examination of fractious or aggressive animals. Be aware that some behaviour modifying drugs may have a disinhibiting effect (e.g. benzodiazepines), resulting in a paradoxical increase in aggression. • Veterinarians and general practitioners play a key role in the prevention of companion animal bites through education of pet owners on safe interaction with pets (particularly for children) and on the selection of appropriate pets for the household. The topic should be incorporated into puppy preschool/training. • Children should be supervised at all times when around pets. • Consideration should be given to the nature and breed of animal when acquiring a new pet. • Puppies should be appropriately socialised to minimise the development of behavioural problems as adults that may predispose them to aggressive interactions with humans (e.g. fear associated biting). Similarly kittens should be taught appropriate play interactions with their owners using appropriate toys to redirect play aggression. • Neutering of pets is recommended to reduce the risk of aggressive behaviour.
• The following are recommended to minimise the risk of bite incidents for veterinary staff and attendant owners in the clinic setting: - The clinical records of animals who have previously displayed aggressive behaviour should be clearly flagged. Similarly, the cages of aggressive animals in hospital should be clearly marked. - Animals should be handled in a calm, stress-free manner to minimise excitement and agitation. For cats, refer to the ISFM Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines. - Premedication of fearful or aggressive dogs and cats with an anxiolytic medication prior to a clinic visit may help facilitate a calmer visit. Trazadone (dogs and cats) and gabapentin (cats only) have been reported effective for this purpose. 4 - Be alert for behaviour changes that may indicate fear, agitation, or aggression. - Animals should be restrained only by trained staff members. Owners should not restrain animals under any circumstances. - Physical restraint and protection tools, such as muzzles, towels, blankets, cat-sacks etc. should be used where appropriate.
ANIMAL FACTORS RELATING TO DOG AND CAT BITE INCIDENTS IN HUMANS
• Identified animal risk factors for canine bite incidents in humans include intact reproductive status and male dogs. 5,6 Breed related data must be interpreted in the context of general breed prevalence. A study in South Australia reported German Shepherds, Pit Bull Terriers, Dobermans, Blue and Red Heelers and Rottweilers were over-represented compared to their prevalence as pets. 2 A more recent study also from South Australia reported dog bites in children were most frequently associated with the Bull Terrier group and Jack Russel Terriers. 7 Owned dogs are most frequently involved in dog bite incidents, with the dog commonly known to the victim. 5 • Dog bites inflicted on any species, including humans, are typically associated with crushing, shearing, and tearing forces, and can result in significant tissue injury. Dog bite related infections are commonly polymicrobial. Common species identified in canine bites include Pasteurella spp. (particularly P. canis ), Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. (S. aureus, S. pseudintermedius), and mixed anaerobes. 8 • In contrast to dogs, cat bite wounds are typically puncture wounds associated with canine teeth, and are frequently located on the patient’s extremities. Due to the nature of the wounds, cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites, with infection reported in 28-80% of cases. 9 Osteomyelitis of an extremity bone is a more common sequela of cat bites
Dog bite
Cat bite
Location of wound
(% of patients)
Face, scalp or neck
16
2
Trunk
2
0
Shoulder, arm or forearm
12
23
Hand
50
63
Thigh or leg
16
9
Feet
4
3
Anatomical location of dog and cat bite wounds. Adapted from Talan et al (1999). 9 Note that distribution of bites may vary with the age of the victim, with dog bites in children more commonly reported on the head and neck.
CONTENTS
Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines 38
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