People have pets for a reason – they make us downright happy. Dogs and cats provide companionship for many and the act of petting one has been shown to reduce blood pressure. However, there are some little known risks that some may not be aware of as pet owners. According to the latest statistics, an average of 86,629 Americans visit emergency rooms each year due to falls caused by pets and pet paraphernalia. 88% of these falls involved dogs and 12% were cat-related. Approximately a third of falls caused broken bones. This CDC study is the first national study of pet-related injuries. Read more pet-related injury statistics.
Tags: cats, CDC, dogs, ER, fall, injuries, injury, pets
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
May 16th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Ihave not had injuries as of yet.I can see how it could be possible.MY dog like to lay under my feet & my husbands. some time we don relize she is there. she could be stepped on ,or sh might cause me to fall.I have had a stroke a few years ago and still use a cane.HOpe it never happens.I would not want to hurt her or my self.
May 16th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Hope this is never happens. Ilove her and would not want to her her.