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ANIMAL WELFARE
Canine Aggression- The Importance in
Veterinary Public Health
Case study
Epidemiology of the canine aggression
towards children
During 1995, 347 patients –mostly bitten
by dogs- were attended (nearly one per day).
Some of them presented severe lesions
that required hospitalization and chirurgic
treatment
(ref.: Dr. Elias Jimenez F., Hospital Nacional de Niños,
San José, Costa Rica)
Epidemiology of the canine aggression
towards children
The main cause for wounds
in children reportedly was
during playing with dogs,
followed by bites
Country
Bites
USA
1,079,615
293,655,4051
Canada
119,514
32,507,8742
Estimated population
1. US Census Bureau, Population Estimates, 2004
2. US Census Bureau, International Data Base, 2004
Anatomical sites of dog-bite injuries :
45.3% arms/hands
25.8% legs/feet
22.8% head/neck
For children 4 years and under, 64.9% of injuries were
located at the head/neck.
For those 15 and older, 86.2% of injuries from dog
attacks were to the extremities.
(Statistical Sources: Nonfatal Dog Bite-Related Injuries Treated in Hospital
Emergency Departments - United States, 2001).
Anatomical sites of dog-bite injuries :
45.3% arms/hands
25.8% legs/feet
22.8% head/neck
For children aged 4 yrs or less, 64.9% of injuries were
located at the head/neck.
For those aged 15 yrs and older, 86.2% of injuries
from dog attacks were at the lower portions of limbs.
(Statistical Sources: Nonfatal Dog Bite-Related Injuries Treated in Hospital
Emergency Departments - United States, 2001).
In 2001, 68 million of pet dogs were estimated in the
United States.
In 2001, an estimated 368,245 victims were treated
for injuries related to dog bites.
In 2001, children aged between 5-9 yrs had the
highest dog-related injuries.
In 2001, an estimated 42% of all dog bites (e.g.
154,625) occurred in children aged 14 or younger.
Statistical Sources: Nonfatal Dog Bite-Related Injuries Treated in
Hospital Emergency Departments - United States, 2001.
Types of dog-related injuries recorded in
Emergency Rooms:
26.4% as "dog bite"
40.2% as "puncture"
24.7% as "laceration"
6.0% as "contusion/abrasion/ hematoma
1.5% as "cellulites/infection"
0.8% as "amputation/avulsion/crush"
0.4% as "fracture/dislocation"
(Statistical Sources: Nonfatal Dog Bite-Related Injuries Treated in Hospital
Emergency Departments - United States, 2001).
Context
Emergency room
of the Children National Hospital Carlos Saenz
San José, Costa Rica
Background
7 years old child
bitted in the lip and
left arm by a dog
belonging to a friend
A conflict has been established
between the two families
The animal was given
all vaccination shots and it did not show
any symptom of disease. It is not its first
to bite people.
The family decided to consult
an specialist in animal behavior
Signalment
Specie :Dog
Name : Gringo
Age : 18 Months
Sex: Male (non-castrated)
Weight: 14 Kg
Raze : Cross breed
(Cocker Spaniel-Golden
Retriever)
Color: Golden
Observations: one eye missing
Complaint presented
by the owners
“Aggression towards children”
“The dog licks its own legs constantly”
Pertinent History
•Some time before, the parents noted that the
dog began to nip the children heels stronger than
normal.
•The animal has pushed /leaned against the child
on several occasions.
•The animal licks and bites the air and then for
during long periods it bites its own legs.
•During the visit, Gringo positioned itself in
between the veterinarian and the child (owner)
and then it became very anxious, once the child
started to run across the room.
The veterinarian has to perform a complete
anamnesis.
Has the dog shown
aggressive behavior ?
Not enough contact with children during the
socialization period
Evidence of aggression for
protection of resourses
Has the dog shown
predatory behavior towards
other animals ?
Physical Examination
The dog was easy
to examine .
No abnormalities
were detected
on physical
examination
Questions
1. Like a Small Animal Veterinarian ,
do you think that the physical examination
is enough when the issue is related to a
behavioral problem?
2. How do you differentiate
between aggression caused by
organic causes and aggression
without organic causes ?
Laboratory tests
T4
within the inferior range limit.
TSH
within the superior range limit.
Urinalysis
High Glutamine.
Diagnosis
Inappropriate behavior associated
with:
Protective Aggression
Fearful aggression (against
unknown children)
Attention-seeking behavior.
The veterinarian has to perform a:
Risk Analysis
“The canine aggression towards people
is potentially a dangerous problem ,
and the veterinarian must decide if is
right and safety correct it ” (Manteca,
2003)
Treatment
Behavior modification
Desensitization
Anti-anxiety medication
Amitriptyline
Fluoxetine
Note: To follow-up the case the student may
refer to the
student guide .
Also he should check the
bibliography attached/provided.
Case study developed by the SAPUVETNET II partners of the University of San
Simon, Course of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Cochabamba (Bolivia) and
National University of Costa Rica, school of Veterinary Medicine, Heredia (Costa
Rica) contacts: Guillermo Parilla e-mail: [email protected]; Jorge Quiros e-mail:
[email protected]