tippypaws.com

October 21, 2005

Rabies

by Filed under Bites & Rabies

Some humor:

A man bitten by a dog, whether the animal is mad or not, is apt to get mad himself.
–George D. Prentice 1802-1870 American Journalist & Humorist.

Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It typically spreads by way of the saliva of infected animals - often, but not always, through a bite. Approximately 7,000 cases of rabies in animals are reported each year to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Once you’re infected, the virus spreads from your muscle to your peripheral nerves to your spinal cord and brain. From initial flu-like signs and symptoms, the illness progresses to convulsions, hallucinations, paralysis or breathing failure and almost always death once the infection is established. It’s important to seek treatment immediately after exposure.

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Bites from Cats and Dogs

by Filed under Bites & Rabies

How to Treat a Cat Bite

As many as 50 - 60% of cat bites become infected and require medical care.
If you are bitten by a cat please follow the steps below:

  • Clean the wound immediately with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.
  • If your wound bleeds well, your chance of infection will be greatly reduced. The bleeding flushes some of the infectious saliva out of the wound. Cats have sharp teeth though and you might experience a small but deep puncture wound. Cats carry a bacteria in their mouths called pasteurella. When they bite hard, their sharp teeth act almost like a needle puncture pushing the pasteurella deep into the muscle.
  • Apply an antibiotic ointment or a Betadine solution, and place a clean bandage over the wound.
  • Frequently check the wound for signs of infection: unusual redness or swelling, increasing warmth in the area, red streaking, or fever. See a doctor if signs of infection develop.
  • Get a tetanus shot if your primary series is incomplete or if it has been more than five years since your last shot.
  • Determine the rabies vaccine status of the cat. The cat should be observed for 15 days to see if it develops signs of rabies if its vaccine status is uncertain.

    Warnings: Rabies is a virus that is almost 100% fatal for humans if a vaccine is not administered in time.

  • Seek medical care if the wound is gaping, if bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes, or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns. Same if you are bitten and think the wound is rather deep. It will save you a lot of pain.
  • How to Treat a Dog Bite

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