[MERGED] The Rabies Thread (From Dogs, Cats, Bats, etc.)

[badradlad]

Hi. I got bitten by a dog na kapapanganak lang January 2003. I immediately went to St Luke's and got my anti-rabies and anti-tetanus shots (multiple times different days). I didn't get booster shots.

Yesterday (Friday the 13th) I got bitten by a cat. I washed my wrist (but not immediately), I rubbed garlic (lol), applied alcohol and betadine. My uncle said the cat was vaccinated last year. Should I be worried? How long do anti-rabies and anti-tetanus shots last? (Meron ba talaga 10 years na anti-rabies immunity and 5 years sa anti-tetanus? Yan kasi sabi sa akin dati e di ko lang alam kung tama pagkarinig ko)

Animals hate me...

[Li'l Sistah]

my mom's puppy loves to bite playfully. she's a poodle-pomeranian mix and is about 2 and a half months old (so wala pang rabies shot kasi bata pa). nakagat nya accidentally sis ko kanina sa elbow skin (mahilig kasi yung pup na tatalon-talon tapos hinihila nya yung mga bagay na mahuhugot nya using her teeth), hindi naman deep but dumugo sya kasi nga diba puppy's have razor sharp teeth?

anyway, we put neosporin (antibiotic ointment plus pain relief) on the wound right away (right after washing with soap and water). we researched sa net and sabi naman to "relax because puppies love to bite, blah blah blah." but reading this thread, lahat halos sinasabi to go to a doctor and have shots right away.

here in the Philippines kasi, may old folks' belief that puppies naturally have more rabies in them. hindi pala yun totoo. my hubby says that since the puppy is indoors naman and is not exposed to wild animals, malabong may rabies to. also the bite was because of playful teething and not aggressive, angry, frothy or what-not.

but syempre, i'm still paranoid.

so if the docs would like to comment, i'd appreciate it. also pala, what warrants a tetanus shot? like how deep does the bite have to be?

will have my sis observe the pup. i'll call the vet na din tomorrow kasi medyo late na din.

[jacjr]

I have a 3 yrs. old Rottweiler, trained on basic obedience and the most socialized in town. 3 weeks ago, meron siyang dinambahang babae. the woman reported to the police immediately and according to the blotter record "dimanbahan at kinagat" siya ng aso. Right after reporting to the police she proceeded to the Animal Bite Center where she was vaccinated and the "bite" or inflected injury as Category III classified. Now I have (still) a barangay case because of this incedent. In our first meeting I said that I am ready to shoulder the necessary expenses but I am rejecting the bill for the anti-rabies vaccine. The total amount of bill presented to me is more than 10,000 pesos (including transportation cost to the ABC 3-4 km away)
FACTS: The Injury (Bite) - a scratch wound ca. 1.5 cm long without any deep perforation (canine marks) on the back of her head about ear level above the nape. No other injury.
The Dog - was wearing an adjusted "Halti" which opens enough to let the tougue out but prevents the mouth to open fully. The dog is 55 kilos, 74 cm head height and stands 165 cm on hindlegs. His 3rd rabies vaccine was administered last April, 5 in 1 booster and anti-parasite last June. The dog is a Carting dog and used to body harness which he also had on during the incident.
The victim: A woman ca. 95-100 kilo, over 50 years old also own dogs. Passed our dog several times from a distance of ca. 10 meters while jogging back and fort along the road. She knows a dog is lying there while my handler ( a 17 year old nephew) is talking with a friend. The dog "jump" or make "damba" at her (frontal), she fell down, the dog when around her and scratch her head from behind.
What follows: immediate report to the police station from the woman "dinambahan at kinagat siya ng aso" then direct to ABC for vaccination. She demanded 8,000 pesos be given to her till 2:30 pm that afternoon, which was not granted then again 5,000 pesos several days later which was also not granted.
About me: I was not in the country when it happened and arrived 2 weeks after the incident. Now I have a case in Barangay level and the next meeting is on Tuesday, 9:00 am.
FACTS: Nobody ever bothered to take a look at the dog after the incident nor gathered information about the condition of the dog, its nature and health condition.
I am rejecting any demand to shoulder the cost of vaccination. For other necessary medical expenses like tetanus vaccine or antibiotics and needed medical attendance I am willing to assist. My stand is give myself the justification and benefit of due process and right procedures in the practice and promulgation of municipal ordinances and the anti-rabies law. Since ABC's are private institutions, are they not profit oriented just like any other business? What should they follow as proper procedure in the diagnosis of dogbites and categorizing them? I need help, for the benefits of dog owners, responsible enough to spend much on their pets to prevent the extortion from some dogbitten "victims"
Thanks.

[marbles]

@jacjr
Since you mentioned there was a scratch wound on her head, that is classified as Category III (all head and neck exposure and contamination with saliva). Treatment for Category III is vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin.

Category I
intact skin; no open wounds; no contact of saliva on mucous membranes like the eyes, nose, mouth
No vaccine required unless there's likelihood of repeat exposure
reliable history of event

Category II
uncovered skin (superficial scratch, abrasion; no bleeding; or licks on broken skin or healing wounds)
or Category I with unreliable history of event

= vaccination asap.

For patients receiving vaccinations, treatment can be stopped if the animal remains healthy 10-14 days after the incident or if found negative for the virus (after being killed humanely and its head examined)

[marbles]

@Li'l Sistah
Tetanus shots are given if there is evidence (upon physical examination) that the wound or injury was caused by burns, crushing, missile/bullets/firecrackers, contamination (dirt, saliva, etc.), >1cm deep, avulsion, and presence of devitalized or dead tissue.

@badradlad
Anti-tetanus boosters every 10 years
Anti-rabies boosters every 2 years

[jacjr]

@jacjr
Since you mentioned there was a scratch wound on her head, that is classified as Category III (all head and neck exposure and contamination with saliva). Treatment for Category III is vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin.

Category I
intact skin; no open wounds; no contact of saliva on mucous membranes like the eyes, nose, mouth
No vaccine required unless there's likelihood of repeat exposure
reliable history of event

Category II
uncovered skin (superficial scratch, abrasion; no bleeding; or licks on broken skin or healing wounds)
or Category I with unreliable history of event

= vaccination asap.

For patients receiving vaccinations, treatment can be stopped if the animal remains healthy 10-14 days after the incident or if found negative for the virus (after being killed humanely and its head examined)

Hi marbles

Thanks -- the problem is that she was attacked frontal, how come that she got a wound behind her head and saliva contamination was negative. Event history is reliable.

[jacjr]

Oh sorry- yong damba ay frontal, then the dog went around her kasi napa-upo na siya and pawed her head. Now the question lies on the nature of the wound. SCRATCH. As defined in the Code of Municipal Ordinances (Art. I Sec. 31.02e "Has een bitten - means has been seized with the teeth so that the skin the person has been wounded or pierced including scratches" -- scratches caused by the teeth not the paws!! Am I right? Help!

[tuvwxyz]

Rabies can be transmitted through a scratch (animals lick their paws).

[chivz]

I was bitten by my GF dog in my finger last 2 days ago she is a rottweiler and dog die too day! im not sure if she intended to bit me or it was an accident, the dog is really sick dis past few days my gf told me that the dog has a anti-rabies... The last few days be for she bit me she is so sick we notice that she don't eat much the way she do, she only drink water and keep on howling and some times on noting i know that rottweiler is not a bark type dog the vet that check her told as it is not a rabies that its some ting internal but i what to get an second opinion...

I for got to tel the vet that from the last few nights i notice the dog like to stay in the dark places is so odd because the dog love to sleep on the front of the door. What shod i do? do i need to get some anti-rabies or just trust what the vet has told as?

Pls pls help me!

[april_f]

I was bitten by my GF dog in my finger last 2 days ago she is a rottweiler and dog die too day! im not sure if she intended to bit me or it was an accident, the dog is really sick dis past few days my gf told me that the dog has a anti-rabies... The last few days be for she bit me she is so sick we notice that she don't eat much the way she do, she only drink water and keep on howling and some times on noting i know that rottweiler is not a bark type dog the vet that check her told as it is not a rabies that its some ting internal but i what to get an second opinion...

I for got to tel the vet that from the last few nights i notice the dog like to stay in the dark places is so odd because the dog love to sleep on the front of the door. What shod i do? do i need to get some anti-rabies or just trust what the vet has told as?

Pls pls help me!

get anti rabbies shot immediately! usually delikado sa finger kasi mas malapit sa brain natin.

[chivz]

Thinks April, that day nag punta na kami nang Hospital sa may FEU-NRMF fairview yun kasi ang pinaka malapit samin. Verorab 0.5ml and Adsorbed Tetanus vaccine 40 IU /0.5 ang binigay sa akin, ang mahal pala just for verorab 2,331 one shot palang yun para sa day 0 meron pa akong 4 shot. Next shot ko siguro magpupunta nalang kami sa San Lazaro mura daw dun, i can't sleep at night na iisip ko kasi pano kung hindi mag work yung gamot my mga cases naba na ganun kahit nagpa anti-rabies na e hindi pa rin gumaling?! tomorow na uli ang second shot ko am hopping na sana maging okay ang lahat..

My question pa ako pag my first shot ka naba nang anti-rabies safe ka na nun all though hindi pa tapos ang mga shot ko kahit lagpas nang 1 month be for matapos?

[april_f]

Thinks April, that day nag punta na kami nang Hospital sa may FEU-NRMF fairview yun kasi ang pinaka malapit samin. Verorab 0.5ml and Adsorbed Tetanus vaccine 40 IU /0.5 ang binigay sa akin, ang mahal pala just for verorab 2,331 one shot palang yun para sa day 0 meron pa akong 4 shot. Next shot ko siguro magpupunta nalang kami sa San Lazaro mura daw dun, i can't sleep at night na iisip ko kasi pano kung hindi mag work yung gamot my mga cases naba na ganun kahit nagpa anti-rabies na e hindi pa rin gumaling?! tomorow na uli ang second shot ko am hopping na sana maging okay ang lahat..

My question pa ako pag my first shot ka naba nang anti-rabies safe ka na nun all though hindi pa tapos ang mga shot ko kahit lagpas nang 1 month be for matapos?

as far as i can remember, verorab din ang shots na binigay sa akin last time i was playfully bitten by our askal hehe. and sa fingers din siya. the dog must be observed actually. Its suggested to bring the dog sa veterinarian. if you really want to know if the dog has rabbies, i know this is a little bit gory but the vets must have to cut the dogs head kasi dun lang makikita kung may rabbies nga ang aso. in my case, i didnt allow this to happen. animal cruelty parin yun! what you have to do is to simply wait and follow the prescriptions that the doctor gave you. finish the shots kasi that's your only protection as of the moment.

[abcdef200886]

i remember, nakagat din ako ng aso namin malapit sa face ko, kaya sobra fatal, dahil malapit na sa brain, good thing i was medically insured by the company where i work for that time kaya sagot nila lahat ng expenses sa vaccine, abot siguro ng 30K lahat lahat na....

ingat lang sa pag-aalaga ng animals...

[silveraden]

I need help from some Doctors. Nakakagat ang aso ko at dahil nagmamadali ako, binigyan ko ng 4K *** nakagat ng aso bago ako nagbakasyon sa Bacolod. Ang problema e parang gustong mamera nong nakagat...

Nasa magkano po ba ang gastos para sa isang nakagat ng aso?... Hinihingan ako ng additional 9K e wala namang maipakitang reseta o resibo.. sabi ko nga bukas ako na mismo sasama sa hospital...

I am from Tanauan City, Batangas

Thanks a lot..

[jacjr]

I'm sorry for you and your pet. Same thing happened to me -- cost me about 10K.
The idea of going with the victim to the doctor or hospital to accompany him/her is very good. Tanda yon na di mo siya pinababayaan. Now, consult your PAO (Public attorney's Office) about the matter and ask for help kung inaakala mo na kinuwartahan ka. They will cite the provisions of Rep. Act # 9482 and the dogbite may cost you up to 25K. Tell them only the truth -- no less, no more. Whatever happen -- you are responsible because gusto man mang-kuwarta o hindi, VICTIM pa rin yong nakagat.
Be ready to answer these questions: Anong category ang kagat? Saang lugar (sa bahay ninyo, sa looban o sa kalye) nakagat ang victim? May anti-rabies vaccine ba ang aso mo( not older thant 1year) and do you have proper registration for you dog?
Your aces against the odds -- kung nagkamali ang doctor na nagbigay ng anti-rabies vaccine!! Within 24 hours after the bite case kailangan mai-report sa authority, i.e. police, DOH, o Barangay, and most important -- sa Dept. of Agriculture -- specifically sa City Veterinarian. Dahil ang veterinarian ang magdi-decide kung bibigyan ng vaccine yong nakagat based on the record of your dog, and order the observation of the animal for eventual changes.
kung may rabies vaccine na ang aso at alagang-alaga, registered sa Vet office ng city snf positive ka na walang contact sa stray animals (nakatali o kulong before the bite)-- chances are you have to spent only 2.5K plus the medical attendance.
Believe me I know how you feel --

[opalyn]

I don't mean to be makulit but pls help me out on this one:

Oct. 29, I pissed my dog and he bit me. Natutulog or semi-tulog kasi siya at ginising ko by whispering to her. My face was so near kaya ayun nahagip ang ilong ko and lower lip. The bite wasn't very deep parang scratch lang (nose) and tusok ng needle (lips) pero nagdugo siya. So pinatigil ko yung bleeding then washed it with soap and water. Tapos nag-rub ako ng bawang duon. (hehe)

My dog was vaccinated last Feb. 2007 pa. But I'm pretty sure she's a clean and healthy dog kasi hindi naman siya lumalabas ng bahay except sa umaga para mag-pupu at weewee.

Now it has been 6 days pero she's not showing signs ng pagbabago. Wala pa ring energy pag wala ang tatay ko. Kaya lang after reading your posts, parang nakaka-tense naman.

So should I get anti-rabies shots na ba??

Pls comment. Thanks!

[kimi17]

hi i got bitten din. puppy, sa paa,and two sa kamay,mababaw lang naman,buhay pa yung dog,,mga daplis lang.one month ago na yun,mag pa vaccine pa ba ako?

[jacjr]

First to Kimi17: I guess you're very well off now a month after the bite. Isa pa ay puppy pa lang yon nakakagat sa iyo and siguro naman wala pa yong contact sa mga rabid na aso. Vaccine?? you can have it too as precaution para next time wala ka ng alalahanin.

And to opalyn: Observation time is 14 days! Chances are, honestly, ligtas ka na rin dahil sure ka na hindi rabid ang nakakgat sa iyo and at the speed of rabies viruses nakarating na yon sa utak mo kung rabid ang aso. Now you regret why you failed to have your dog vaccinated on time...then do it now .. go to your Dept. of Agriculture, they have free anti rabies vaccine.

Keep up with caring for your dog... wala silang kasalanan and try to understand more about their psychology. understanding them is loving them. Remember! your dog did not ask you to care for him--- you committed yourself to do it -- so be a responsible pet owner and animate others to do so. Don't be acused! You're doing right care - just a reminder.

[opalyn]

@jacjr

Thanks sa reply. Now I feel better. Actually when I got bitten, di naman ko worried kasi before me nakagat din niya ang tatay ko twice na siguro mga Jan 2007 and earlier this year. The first time around, wala pa siyang 1 year old nun so my father received anti-rabies shots. Kasi urband legend nga pag pup mas malakas ang rabies. Then we had her vaccinated, Feb. nga. Then this year ayun nakagat niya ulit ang tatay ko.

Tanong lang ulit:

1. Ang asong rabid po ba talagang mamamatay kung makakagat or after makakagat ng tao regardless kung may anti-rabies vaccine ang tao o wala?? (Kasi kung rabid ang dog ko, she would have died during the second time na kinagat niya ang father ko, di ba po?)

2. Pure urband legend lang ba ito? I mean is it right to say that a rabid dog will die sooner or later regardless if he bit somebody or not?

3. If a dog contracted the disease, 14 days na lang life span niya?

Hay thanks at sori po ulit.

[jacjr]

1. Ang asong rabid po ba talagang mamamatay kung makakagat or after makakagat ng tao regardless kung may anti-rabies vaccine ang tao o wala??

The legend says; mamamatay yan kasi nakakagat na ng tao!
The truth is: kung rabid yong aso -- mamamatay siya!!
The "BECAUSE" is -- that dog could have been kind and gentle for a long time pero may rabies pala. Now the rabies virus are taking over his brain and he does'nt know what is happening kaya ang sabi natin nau-**** -- he fears almost everything and every thing seems to be strange, at dahil sa takot his protective mode is activated kaya nangangagat. Meron din naman na nagiging very passive at naghihintay na lang sa isang sulok na mamatay.

2. Sooner (never later) a rabid dog will die. Sobra na ang virus niya sa utak kaya it occupy tha brain already then get down to the salivary glands kaya naglalaway ang aso kapag sinasabi natin na nau-****. He will die, not because he bite somebody kundi dahil sira na ang cells ng kanyang brain.

3. 14 days is maximal incubation ng rabies virus. Maaari na latent ang virus sa katawan ng aso then some excitement tulad ng PREY MODE nila will trigger the rapid incubation.

Nice to help you.