While feeding our pet snake a rat, the rat escaped and my fiance had to catch it. In the process the rat bit him twice on the hand. I put alcohol, peroxide and neosporin on the bites but I am worried about him getting an infection from the rat or something. The rat was bought at a pet shop. Does he need a tetinas shot? and is there anything else I need to do to his wounds, they are not deep?
2007-02-07 03:21:15 · 8 answers · asked by Mz. Tanning Bed Junkie! 4 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
do you think he needs a rabies shot?
2007-02-07 03:31:19 · update #1
Odds are you've got nothing to worry about. Rats in pet shops really have no exposure to diseases like rabies etc... The main thing to watch for is infection. My worst animal bite was from a large rat (snake food)... He was full out gnawing on my hand... Pretty deep bite, that was 2 years ago and I still have the scar. My hand swelled up for a couple of days and was pretty painful, but nothing too major. As long as it's not deep, just watch for infection and it should be fine. If it would really make you/him feel better, he could get some rabies shots, though those would probably be worse than the actual bites.
2007-02-07 05:02:24 · answer #1 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tetanus (Lock Jaw), is usually not caused from small animal bites (I'd be more concerned about rabies but it's not likely). It's usually in the soil or in unsanitary conditions and is embedded in a deep wound (most common would be stepping on a rusty nail or something equally dirty but deep).
Regardless everyone should have a booster shot every ten years to avoid getting it. Clean the area well and put some polysporin or an antibacterial cream on it to avoid infection. If it gets red or is sore see a doctor about it.
2007-02-07 11:39:16 · answer #2 · answered by trojan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you got it in a shop, it shouldn't be that dangerous as a wild one, but rats can carry very bad bacteria so it's still a good thing to make the shot, for any case
And it's not good to feed snakes with rats, not pet snakes for sure. You actually buy the rat as a housepet and then feed the snake with it? Who recommended that? And it's not very nice either.
2007-02-07 11:54:42 · answer #3 · answered by Coverup guy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it was a reputable shop, your fiance should be fine with what you've done: The rat shouldn't be carrying any especial infections.
2007-02-07 11:28:04 · answer #4 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not, but if any of the places where he was bitten become, red, itchy, or swollen, he should see a doctor immediately as these are signs of infection.
2007-02-07 11:26:52 · answer #5 · answered by Stephanie H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he would need more of a rabies shot tetinas shots are more for people who stepped on a nail or any kind of metal or was cut by metal
2007-02-07 11:29:48 · answer #6 · answered by You know you want me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest getting one anyways they r good for at least 10yrs so no harm.... to be on the safe side... (also if he ever steps on anything rusty like a nail he would be good to go)
2007-02-07 11:28:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nah, don't worry about it. Unless it gets infected it should be fine.
2007-02-07 11:23:19 · answer #8 · answered by Nasubi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋