What would you do if a love one is bitten by a rabid dog? Expert Advice

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Treatment for people bitten by animals with rabies

If youve been bitten by an animal that is known to have rabies, youll receive a series of shots to prevent the rabies virus from infecting you. If the animal that bit you cant be found, it may be safest to assume that the animal has rabies. But this will depend on several factors, such as the type of animal and the situation in which the bite occurred.

Rabies shots include:

  • A fast-acting shot (rabies immune globulin) to prevent the virus from infecting you. This is given if you havent had the rabies vaccine. This injection is given near the area where the animal bit you if possible, as soon as possible after the bite.
  • A series of rabies vaccinations to help your body learn to identify and fight the rabies virus. Rabies vaccinations are given as injections in your arm. If you havent previously had the rabies vaccines, youll receive four injections over 14 days. If you have had the rabies vaccine, youll have two injections over the first three days.

    • This could be as simple as scheduling a follow-up appointment at a later day or as serious as undergoing recommended surgery. As you continue to follow up with medical professionals and treat your injuries, the fifth and final step is to…

    Once treatment has started and the attack has been reported, it is important to have trained professionals on YOUR side that know how to navigate the legal system and fight on your behalf. The attorneys at McKenzie & Snyder can help you navigate the process of getting compensation for your injury. No one wishes for a dog bite to happen. If one does, McKenzie & Snyder is here to fight for you.

    A dog bite could be nothing more than broken skin, but could also be as serious as leading to the loss of a limb or the transmission of a life-threatening disease. Fortunately, McKenzie & Snyder is here to help. Here are the five top things to remember if you or a loved one are bitten by a dog:

    Immediate medical attention could include wrapping the wound to prevent bleeding, calling an ambulance, or driving an injured loved one to the emergency room. However serious the injury, medical attention should be sought immediately to make sure that no serious damage has occurred.

    Always listen to your doctor or certified medical provider. If a doctor has specific recommendations for how to further care for your dog bite injury or instructs that you schedule follow up appointments, it is important to follow those recommendations and instructions.

    Is vaccination effective?

    Vaccination is the cornerstone of rabies prevention. Vaccination promotes the production of antibodies but is only effective if given before the virus enters the nervous system. Modern rabies vaccines for dogs, cats, horses, and ferrets are extremely safe and effective.

    How to Survive Rabies

    Rabies is an extremely dangerous virus that is most often spread to humans by the bite of an animal that has already been infected by it. Because most people do not spend much time in the wild, rabies cases among humans are usually linked to dog bites. For this reason, it is crucial that you understand the warning signs of rabies in case you are ever bitten by a dog, especially one that you do not know.

    Please keep in mind that dogs can have rabies without showing symptoms. The virus can take anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks to reach the brain, where it will begin to manifest the telltale signs. While the virus is spreading within the dog’s body, though, a bite from the animal can transmit it.