Dogbite

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Here is some practical advice from the online doctor site:

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/firstaid/bites/203.html

When bitten by a dog:

"If you know the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, ask for the pet's vaccination record (record of shots). An animal that appears healthy and has been vaccinated should still be quarantined (kept away from people and other animals) for 10 days to make sure it doesn't start showing signs of rabies. If the animal gets sick during the 10-day period, a veterinarian will test it for rabies. If the animal does have rabies, you will need to get a series of rabies shots"

"Your last tetanus shot (vaccine) was more than 5 years ago. (If so, you may need a booster shot.)"

TM · Since 05 Oct 2006 6 Posts PDX Kook

Kitezilla-- some good advice, but perhaps a little perspective on the rabies issue before you go making people worry. There has not been a case of human Rabies in Oregon for 15 years. The last case was a Mexican migrant worker who likely was inoculated by a rabid bat. In Oregon bats are the most common carries of rabies and in fact cats are 10 time more likely to cary rabies than dogs. I don't think that every time someone gets scratched or bitten by a cat we should panic- happens all the time. Vacinating dogs and cats is to provide a buffer between humans and wild animals such as bats and racoons which have been documented to cary rabies. While I am not saying that there is no chance a dog like Nellie could infect someone-- look at the numbers and figure the risk. This is not a note to excuse biting dogs, but lets take the rabies panic off the table, bring a few more leashes to the sand spit and lets go out and kite-- where we can genuinely risk our lives!! Very Happy

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

Infection is a bigger concern. My dog bit someone he refused to go to the Dr. because it was to small. The next day it swelled up and he spent 4 days in the hospital. I also had a friend who got a single tooth puncture from his own dog it also swelled the next day and he needed IV antibiotics for a week.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

TM, good advice...no need to panic, just follow the standard Public Health recommendations. Just the act of exchanging names and phone numbers, after a biting incidence, will take a lot of the heat out of the encounter, and bring some light to the issue. If the dog owner acts responsibly, and gives you a sense of confidence that they will watch the dog for 10 days, and call you if anything abnormal occurs, then, you can relax. If both parties follow proper procedures, after a biting incident, then it is more likely that they will end up as friends.

It doesn't hurt to remind people to stay current on their Tetanus shots either. A lot of people don't get periodic physical exams, and a dogbite incident can be a blessing in disguise, if it motivates them to examine and review their Tetanus immunization status.