Bitten by mouse - am I in trouble now?

Question

I've just been bitten by a mouse which my cat brought me during the night. I've washed, bled, and disinfected the wound. Am I in any kind of danger here, and what should I probably do next (3:34 am in southern New Zealand)?

Answer 1

Definitely call your doctor or get to an emergency room. I don't know what to expect as far as diseases in New Zealand mice, but better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 2

obviously no expert

1. Tetanus
I was under the impression "tetanus" which (everybody here seems to agree on) you get from working in the yard. Translation, a bacterium in the soil and in the intestines of animals. Most unlikely, that a mouse bite would transfer that bacterium. In fact, "text book" wisdom, typically gardeners who are handling horse manure are infected (source of the bacterium, the intestines of the horse).

2. Rabies
I remember about rabies, that the animal is behaving "conspicuously". Typically that means it does NOT run away from humans. Also, lots of saliva. Different case obviously if the mouse valiantly defended itself against cat and man.

Summary, highly unlikely that you caught something.
You did the right thing anyway.

Life is not without danger. Given your age, you probably had a tetanus shot in your childhood. If not, and if this were an 'acute and imminent' suspicion, you would now receive a different shot. That serum is serious stuff, cannot be repeated within next 15 years from the same kind of animal again.
Rabies?, Do they even have rabies in NZ. I understand from your (own) blog you have no indigenous foxes, Tasmanian Devils, ..

Answer 3

Clean the wound, put antiseptic cream and a Band-aid on it. If you last had a tetanus shot more than 10 years ago, get one tomorrow. There is a very remote chance that a mouse may have rabies. Discuss that with your doctor tomorrow. Meanwhile, go to sleep. Stop worrying.

Answer 4

Most probably, you're perfectly safe. Assuming there's no open hospital nearby at that early morning time, I'd suggest to have a nice nap and recheck later - that's what I would do.

Well, unless it would hurt REALLY bad - but I doubt any mouse alive could achieve that effect on me. Haven't met any 100 pound mice yet, luckily!

Cheers,
LXP

@Moma Dancer: Ooops, sorry, my bad. I had current conditions in Germany in mind, and those have changed to the worst during the last years.

Answer 5

I think, you took care properly already. The wound should be getting better soon. Do mice get rabies? I think, if the wound gets worse until tomorrow morning, you'd better see a doctor.

Did you already thank your cat? It could not know how clumsy you would treat the gift. After all, it brought you some good food (smile).

Answer 6

I don't know if you have to go right away, but you will need a tetanis shot asap. maybe you can call the hospital and they could tell you what you should do, till the morning and you can go to the doctor.

Did LXP actually say that the hospital might be closed? What hospital closes?

Answer 7

I would go to the emergency room and get tested for disease. If you have killed the mouse, bring it with you. The last thing you want to do is waste time.

Answer 8

You've already taken the most important steps. My best advice to you is to give your doctor call this morning and report this. The doctor will advise you as to what she/he wants to do about it.

"LXP", hospitals never close, silly boy.

Answer 9

I know where I live, there is a disease called hauntivirus that can cause death. It wouldn't hurt to be checked out by a doctor.

Answer 10

I suppose it's too late to tell you to kill the mouse and have it tested for rabies??? If not, then I would consider doing that.