A pet dog almost bit my mom.She is complaining of pain,there is a small swelling,but there is no blood.We don't know if the dog had rabies or not.What should we do??????
2007-04-12 02:24:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Her foot came in contact with the dogs mouth,only it did not bite her.
2007-04-12 02:34:33 · update #1
It depends where you live. In the western world rabies has pretty much vanished. The dog must be watched over a period of 10 days, if he is not dead by then it means he didn't have rabies. Also his owner or vet should know if he is vaccinated etc. If you don't know where the dog is any more, you can a. consult the local hospital, who will know if there is a possibility of rabies in the area.
b. hope for the best, but get antibiotics for a few days as a precaution against other bacteria (the pain and swelling is normal after a bite anyway).
c. get a shot for rabies, according to the hospital instructions always, but that has a lot of side effects, and it is probably useless, because the dog probably had no rabies. It really depends where you live and how well you expect the dog to have been vaccinated. I was bitten, but I had no rabies shot, because i live in Greece and there is no rabies here. Plus, I am not sure if I understood, but it sounds like your mum was not even wounded? No cut? If the dog's saliva didn't get in touch with her blood (if the skin was not torn at all), there is no problem anyway.
ATTENTION: DON'T CALL THE POLICE OR ANYTHING, IF THEY TAKE THE DOG FOR TESTING THE ONLY WAY TO TEST IS KILLING THE DOG, WHICH IS WRONG BECAUSE IF THEY KILL IT YOU DON'T KNOW IF HE WOULD HAVE DIED OF RABIES (WHICH HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T), SO YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE INFECTED UNTIL VERY LATE, SO THEY MAKE YOU TAKE THE SHOT TOO. SO IT IS BEST IF YOU KNOW THE DOG TO JUST KEEP AN EYE ON HIM FOR 10 DAYS.
2007-04-12 02:38:56 · answer #1 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry about the scare but you said "almost bit" your Mom. If it is a "pet" that means you likely know the owner(s). Ask them to keep a close eye on their dog and if it becomes sick in a week or so it may be possible it actually did "bite" your Mom. The treatment for rabies is still very unpleasant so if she was not bitten forget it.
2007-04-12 09:36:05 · answer #2 · answered by Snake 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is a pet dog, can you ask the owner if the dog has been immunized. If the attack was unprovoked and you cannot find out about the dog then rabies immunization for you mother may be in order. Additional things to consider include getting a tetanus shot. Your mother definitely should be seeing a doctor.
2007-04-12 09:35:07 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey P 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off did it bite her or not? You said in your post it ALMOST bit her and then in your next sentence you sound like it did bite her. If it bit her you need to contact the owner to find out if it's rabies shots are up to date. If not contact the police and they will take the dog for testing. I doubt your mother has rabies though.
2007-04-12 09:29:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The time between the bite and the first flu-like symptoms can be between three and ten weeks. After that it will start flu-like and quickly progress into cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, agitation, abnormal behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, progressing to delirium. The production of large quantities of saliva and tears coupled with an inability to speak or swallow are typical during the later stages of the disease; this can result in "hydrophobia". Death almost invariably results two to ten days after the first symptoms. Once the first symptoms start, it's already reached the brain.
But by all means, feel free to not take her to the doctor and get the harmless vaccination in time. Just make sure she put you in her will.
2007-04-12 09:40:10 · answer #5 · answered by Samuel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No she doesn't... You said she almost got bit which means to me that she never came in contact with the dogs mouth.
2007-04-12 09:31:55 · answer #6 · answered by A leap in the right direction. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure the bite has to break the skin, but just in case I would go to the emergency room, if you have access to the dog, bring it to them
2007-04-12 11:38:15 · answer #7 · answered by that girl in the corner 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it could be. but you who would know for sure? a doctor? heard of one? i've heard they hang out at emergency rooms.
you should get off the computer, and get your mom to the er if you're worried.
2007-04-12 09:29:28 · answer #8 · answered by Truth 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
was its mouth like, foaming?? that has something to do with it also...I hope your mom will feel better...either way, you should gether to see a doc...again..good luck!!
2007-04-12 09:39:46 · answer #9 · answered by Miss Murder 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋