Walkies are fine but beware the hazards of dogs
sir – Dog ownership increases activity levels in the elderly according to research by Dr Yu-tzu Wu’s group (report, July 25). Although this will certainly benefit the health of many people, dog ownership is not without its perils.
In 2011 colleagues and I analysed the injuries caused by dogs presenting to a large district general hospital (see the Journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention).
In just two months we identified 37 injuries caused by dogs, excluding bites. There were 26 fractures, 10 sprains and one head injury. Sixteen patients required surgery. Older women were statistically more likely to sustain a fracture or require hospital admission. Injuries came about from people falling over small dogs or being knocked or pulled over by larger dogs. Fingers were caught in collars and in one case a fractured femur resulted from a woman attempting to push a reluctant dog out of her front door in the rain and then falling down her front steps.
Health benefits conferred by dog ownership may be offset by the dog-related musculoskeletal injury. This should be taken into consideration by the elderly who are contemplating getting a dog.
Henry Willmott FRCS
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Hastings, East Sussex