{"id":12166,"date":"2021-04-22T20:57:44","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T00:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=12166"},"modified":"2021-04-22T20:57:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T00:57:44","slug":"features-164","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=12166","title":{"rendered":"Features"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spring comes to St. Johns<\/strong>
\nby Maralyn Fink<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Honoring Crime Victim’s Rights Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

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In honor of Crime Victim’s Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021, Prosecuting Attorney Tony Spagnuolo was joined by Clinton County’s Victim Advocate Sadie Watson in bringing donations to The SafeCenter<\/font><\/a>.<\/p>\n

“This is a wonderful, worthy organization that plays an outsized role in our community,” says Spagnolo.<\/p>\n

Since 1981, National Crime Victims\u2019 Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the Nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. Each year, communities across the country revisit the history of the victims\u2019 rights movement, celebrate the progress made, and recommit to further advancements in the crime victims field.<\/p>\n

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Remember When<\/strong> – Superheros say thanks in 2018<\/p>\n

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The Voice for Clinton County\u2019s Children is super thankful for the generous support of our 2018 Superhero 5K Kick Off Event at the St. Johns Big Boy. 15% of sales were donated to our program and guests were served dinner by our Superhero Friends with The League for Enchantment.<\/p>\n

We could not serve Clinton County\u2019s abused children without you; thank you!<\/p>\n

To hang out with us and our Superhero Friends on National Superhero Day on April 28 for our 5th Annual Superhero 5K Run, Walk, or Fly! please visit our website VoiceForClintonCountyChildren.org. We appreciate your support.<\/p>\n

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Maralyn’s Pet Corner<\/strong> – What to Do When Another Dog Bites Your Dog
\nCourtesy of Kate Hughes<\/p>\n

Animals can be unpredictable creatures\u2014even our true-blue four-legged friends. The most diligent dog owners may find themselves in the scary situation of having their dog be bitten by another dog.<\/p>\n

Molly Sumridge, a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, says that dog bite incidents are responsible for about 80 percent of her business at Kindred Companions LLC, a dog training company she founded in Frenchtown, New Jersey.<\/p>\n

When your pup sustains a dog bite, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, keeping a cool head in the event of a dog bite, knowing what you\u2019re looking for when assessing the injury, and having an idea of what to do next can help ensure that the wounded dog receives the proper care and makes a speedy recovery.<\/p>\n

Immediate Dog Bite Aftermath<\/em><\/p>\n

Dr. Morgan Callahan, VMD at the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services (CARES), a 24-hour emergency veterinary care hospital in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, says that if you see a dog bite your dog, the first thing you should do is remove your dog from the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the dog is able to walk, allow him to do so. This may calm him and will give you an opportunity to observe the dog\u2019s gait and look for any bleeding,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

If your dog isn\u2019t able to walk, you should carry him, but Dr. Callahan says that even the gentlest dog may bite you when injured or scared, so you should be cautious.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to gather as much information as possible. \u201cIf the owner is present, ask if the dog is up-to-date on his rabies vaccine,\u201d Dr. Callahan says. \u201cAnd collect contact information from the pet owner whenever possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Callahan also notes that if the dog bite takes place on someone\u2019s property, their homeowners insurance may cover some of the medical costs of the bite.<\/p>\n

Assessing a Dog Bite<\/em><\/p>\n

The severity of a dog bite is dependent on a variety of factors. A bite may encompass anything from a tiny nick to a series of wounds that require veterinary attention. Dr. Stacey Rebello, DVM, MS at NorthStar VETS, a veterinary emergency trauma and specialty center in Robbinsville, New Jersey, suggests that dog owners exercise caution when their dog suffers an attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerally, I recommend that all bite wounds be assessed by a veterinarian. Even tiny puncture wounds resulting from a bite are at a high risk of infection and should be addressed as soon as possible,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Dr. Callahan adds, \u201cIn veterinary school, we are taught that the puncture you see on the outside of the skin is the \u2018tip of the iceberg\u2019 in a bite wound injury. This is because a bite is both a crushing and shearing injury. Often, tissue can be damaged under the puncture, and a pocket is created. There may be bleeding or nerve damage under the skin that cannot be seen through the puncture. The tooth carries bacteria with it into the pocket and sets up a good environment for an abscess to form.\u201d<\/p>\n

She adds that certain areas of a dog\u2019s body are more prone to complications than others, and that the location of a bite can a factor in whether or not medical treatment is necessary. \u201cThe mouth and nose heal very quickly. If a dog gets nicked or scratched there, I wouldn\u2019t be too concerned. However, if the dog gets bit on the legs, the torso, or the neck, or around a joint that can become irritated, that\u2019s when I recommend going to the vet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Callahan says that if your dog is vomiting, acting lethargic or having difficulty breathing, it is an emergency and \u201cshould be evaluated by a veterinarian right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Treating Dog Bites<\/em><\/p>\n

If you take your dog to the vet after a dog bite, here\u2019s what you should expect:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor smaller bites that don\u2019t require surgical intervention, we normally perform a thorough wound evaluation, clip the surrounding hair, disinfect the region with an antibacterial solution, lavage the wound out with saline and start antibiotics.\u201d explains Dr. Rebello. She says that your veterinarian may also decide to prescribe pain medication for dogs to help your dog feel more comfortable.<\/p>\n

In more serious cases, like an infected dog bite, the dog bite treatment may require your dog to be under anesthesia. \u201cIf a puncture or deep pocket is found, then the veterinarian will suggest anesthetizing the dog to remove damaged tissues, and [will] place a drain to allow the dog\u2019s body to get rid of any pooling infection,\u201d Dr. Callahan says. \u201cThe drain is typically removed in three to five days when the drainage is minimal. Any remaining stitches are removed 10-14 days later. Even with surgery, dogs will often go home the same day with oral antibiotics and pain medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

In more serious cases, Dr. Callahan says that X-rays or ultrasounds may be suggested to look for broken bones or contusions. Vets can also use these tools to see if the bite has perforated the chest cavity or abdominal cavity, which is a much more severe case than a superficial wound.<\/p>\n

The veterinarian will also assess the situation and decide if quarantine for 10 days and\/or a rabies vaccine booster is required. This is usually dependent on the vaccine status of the aggressor.<\/p>\n

Preventing Dog Bite Infections<\/em><\/p>\n

Preventing infection is key after a dog bite. First and foremost, make sure to fully administer any dog antibiotics prescribed by the veterinarian.<\/p>\n

It is very important to keep your dog from licking or scratching at their wound. Whether you veterinarian chooses to wrap the wound or not, it is best to be extra safe and use barriers to keep your dog from getting to the site of the wound. Dr. Callahan says that an Elizabethan collar (aka \u201cthe cone of shame\u201d) can prevent a dog from licking and recontaminating the wound.<\/p>\n

For pet parents who worry about their dog\u2019s comfort while wearing these cones, there are variety of different options available. There are soft versions, like the Comfy Cone E-Collar, that will keep your dog from being able to get to his wound but also allow him to maneuver with ease.<\/p>\n

There is also the KONG Cloud Collar, which resembles an airplane pillow. It creates a barrier but does not interfere with peripheral vision or the ability to eat or drink out of a dog bowl.<\/p>\n

Getting Back to Normal<\/em><\/p>\n

After a dog attack that results in a dog bite, getting your dog back to her normal, happy self may take some time. Dr. Laurie Bergman, VMD, a veterinary behaviorist who works at NorthStar VETS, says that the first step is identifying the situation that led to the bite.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the bite came from another dog who lives in the same house as the dog that got bit, you need to figure out what triggered the biting event. It could have been jostling over a favorite toy that escalated, or a nervous dog getting spooked by the doorbell. Both of these situations can lead to aggression,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Dr. Bergman adds that if this is the case, owners shouldn\u2019t punish the dog that acted out, as that could make him more anxious and more likely to bite.<\/p>\n

Dr. Bergman also says that owners need to be sure they know and understand their dog. \u201cIf she\u2019s not happy and relaxed when meeting other dogs, then you shouldn\u2019t put her in those situations. Dog owners need to learn what a dog looks like when relaxed versus when a dog is simply tolerating a situation,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you need to be prepared to change your plans if something is off. For example, if you are going to the dog park and you see that there are a whole lot of dogs there, but your dog only does well with two or three other dogs, you should go for a nice long leash walk instead,\u201d says Dr. Bergman.<\/p>\n

Sumridge notes that dogs who suffer bites will often exhibit behavioral issues. \u201cIt isn\u2019t just physical care that\u2019s necessary with a bite, but behavioral care and management are important as well. It\u2019s very likely that a dog will be fearful of whatever caused a bite, so he may be hesitant to interact with other dogs following a dog attack. He also might react aggressively to other dogs, and I mean all other dogs, not just the one who bit him. In this case, it\u2019s imperative that you seek professional help. Don\u2019t force interactions or socialization, because if reintroduction isn\u2019t done properly, it can make the issue worse,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spring comes to St. Johns by Maralyn Fink Honoring Crime Victim’s Rights Week In honor of Crime Victim’s Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021, Prosecuting Attorney Tony Spagnuolo was joined by Clinton County’s Victim Advocate Sadie Watson in bringing donations to The SafeCenter. “This is a wonderful, worthy organization that plays an outsized role in our Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12166"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12166\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}