Children are likely to be bitten on the face or head. Boys ages 5-9 years old are at highest risk, and most dog bites in young children are by the family dog, in contexts of resource guarding, or benign interactions such as hugging or petting.
The dog should be physically confined away from the child so that an adult can supervise each approach and ensure that the dog threatens or shows avoidance while resting or being handled.
Never punish or force affection on a dog that resists. Children should have some degree of positive control over the pet. Children must learn rules about pet. Children must learn rules about other pets, especially that the child must never touch another family's pet or give it food unless an adult gives permission.
Dogs on a leach, by food, by toys, sleeping, tied down, or running loose should never be approached. All family members must also follow these rules as a model for the child's behavior.
Children must be taught to recognize and avoid aggressive postures (growling, loud barking, hair standing on end) and fearful behaviors (trembling, crouching, ears back, tail tucked) and to avoid these animals. If the child is approached by a dog that is acting aggressively, the child should stand very still and silent, hold the arms against the body, and avoid eye contact. If the child is on the ground or knocked down, he or she should curl into a tight ball, cover the ears with fists, and remain still and quiet until the animal moves far away.
Health Benefits of Pet Ownership
The company of a pet relaxes and entertains people, but the benefits of pet ownership go beyond simple joy. Studies have shown that keeping a pet improves the health and well-being of the people in the household. During stressful times, the comfort of a pet protects against depression and loneliness. Animal companions ward off depression and loneliness among people with AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease. Stressful situations have less of an impact on elderly pet owners and visit their physician less frequently.
Pets allow their owners to feel needed as nurturers, while also nurturing their owner. An animal’s unconditional affection often increases the owner’s ability to cope with personal setbacks and depression and can reduce loneliness. Individuals who live “alone” with a pet are actually part of a family; they can look forward to being greeted and recognized when they walk in the door. Caring for a pet can make its owner feel needed and provide reasons for living and staying healthy.
Pets motivate people to be more active and social. Pets are conversation-starters, help to make new acquaintances. Walking the dog provides not only physical exercise but also an opportunity to interact with humans living and more vulnerable to depression. Dog-walking and being outdoors where social contact is possible are healthful effects of dog ownership.
The comfort, social interaction, and motivation provided by pets improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. Physical and verbal interaction can lower blood pressure. One study of hypertensive patients showed those who were given pets handled stressful tasks better than those who relied on blood pressure medication alone. Research shows people are more likely to survive the year after a heart attack if they have both a companion dog and a human social support network. Animal companionship is commonly linked to lower death rates and better long-term health.
The wellness visit should include a thorough "nose-to-tail" physical examination, vaccinations appropriate for the lifestyle of the pet, and important lab work such as a blood count and chemistry profile to assess internal organ function, and urinalysis to check for urinary tract disease. A nutrition assessment should include discussion of the best life-stage diet, type of treats that are OK, possible need for therapeutic diets for various pet health conditions, as well as conversation about various supplements that would benefit health.
Fecal examination to detect intestinal parasites should be performed at least annually, even if regular preventive medication is administered as many pet parasites can also affect humans. Heartworm testing annually and evaluation of current prevention strategies should also occur.
Preventive dental health care is often over-looked by pet owners. A discussion of the benefits of dental cleaning/other dental work, as well as preventive home care should take place.
Your veterinarian should ask if there are behavior concerns, too, as the primary reason for pets being relinquished to animal shelters is for behavior problems. Topics may include use of treats as rewards to desirable behavior, leash training, basic obedience training, use of trainers and/or structured training classes.
Other services that are often provided during the routine visit might include toenail trimming, anal sac expression, discussion of the importance of regular grooming, boarding services, and needed preventive services such as spaying and neutering. To help make this visit as time efficient as possible, arrive for your appointment a few minutes early. Jot down questions to be addressed. Often those questions can be discussed during the exam.
