ABSTRACT

Cohabitation of humans and dogs often results in dog bites that may lead to severe health risks due to viral, bacterial, and parasitic zoonoses. Dog bites result in wounds and the dysfunction of damaged tissues, as well as possible infection, alongside the risk of rabies and tetanus, if appropriate and timely treatment is not administered. Pediatric and geriatric patients, as well as pregnant women, are the most vulnerable categories, being the most susceptible to psychological trauma. Research results suggest that in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) during the 1996–2005 period, there were 6.9% more bites inflicted by dogs of known owners compared to the number of bites inflicted by stray dogs, but during the 2006–2010 period, this the percentage increased in favor of stray dogs. Dog bites are a serious social problem and pose a potential health risk due to viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal zoonoses. Timely and adequate treatment of bite wounds and the implementation of rabies-postexposure prophylaxis can significantly reduce health risks in patients who have suffered dog bites.