Dogs send women to the Emergency Room

Dogs and cats can break things. An excited cat leaps across a bookshelf of ceramics.  A happy bull whip of a dog’s tail clears a table…it can be frustrating when pets break things. But when those things happen to be your bones and it results in trip to the emergency room…Ouch!

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 86,000 people trip over their pets each year, with about 240 people a day visiting the emergency room as a result. Women are 2.1 times more likely to be affected than males.

Dogs are the biggest culprits, causing 88 percent of the injuries — one third are broken bones, about 25 percent are bruises, and one fifth sprains. About 62 percent of the dog-related falls and 86 percent of the cat-caused tumbles occurred at home. As expected, the highest rate of injury was among those 75 and older, while women were more likely than men to be injured.

The report is based on 8,000 emergency room visits at 66 U.S. hospitals between 2001 and 2006. It’s the first government study of pet-related trips and falls.

Dog and cat ownership is on the rise in the US increasing as is the elderly population, in whom injuries might have the greatest health dangers.

According to the CDCP report, prevention measures to limit the likelihood of pet-related falls can be reduced by 1) raising public awareness that the greatest dangers of injuries occurred while walking dogs and chasing pets which can lead to falls 2) increasing recognition that pets and pet items can cause falls especially among the elderly; and 3) reinforcing American Veterinary Medical Association recommendations emphasizing obedience training for dogs to minimize bad behaviors associated with falls  such as dogs pushing or pulling their owners.

Limiting the access of pets to certain rooms of your house and yard can minimize the trip hazards they present. Indoor and outdoor electronic pet containment devices in conjunction with obedience training can keep you, and your pet safer. For more information on electronic protection go to www.containapetofwilmington.com.