# Got bitten by a dog (need answer fast) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 8, 2017, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063 "2017-08-08T05:54:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/21 "2017-08-08T16:34:26Z")
You may want to file a police report, especially if you do not know the dog’s owner and/or the circumstances of the incident were not merely an accident. I don’t know if your medical insurance carrier might require a police report or not. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/22 "2017-08-08T16:38:50Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I will ask again. I was told, however, that at least in the Austin, TX area, that only major hospitals have them, and even then only a couple of such hospitals do. > > Hopefully they don’t cost $3,000 like the Internet rumors. IANAL but can’t you sue the owner for damages? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/23 "2017-08-08T16:43:30Z")
FYI: the incubation period of rabies in humans is 3 - 8 weeks, in rare cases up to and beyond 6 months, and in _extremely_ rare cases it can be 6 - 7 _years_. > [@](#): > > The first signs of illness are nonspecific: fever, anxiety, and malaise. Often there is tingling and severe pruritus at the site of the animal bite. After 2–10 days, frank neurological signs become manifest, ranging from hyperactivity to paralysis. Indeed, the disease is usually divided into encephalitic and paralytic forms. In the former form, signs of irritation of the CNS predominate, including agitation, confusion, hydrophobia, aerophobia, hyperventilation, hypersalivation, priapism, and convulsions. These symptoms reflect both cerebral dysfunction and autonomic dysfunction. The unnerving aspect of this hyperactivity, both to the patient and to the physician, is its episodic nature, between which the patient is cooperative and oriented. > > In some cases, paralysis involving the peripheral nerves is the presenting sign, which is usually accompanied by fever but in the absence of sensory involvement. Eventually, however, patients who present with signs of encephalitis also become paralyzed. from here: [Rabies | Clinical Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic](https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/30/1/4/323391/Rabies) (free access article) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/24 "2017-08-08T16:45:36Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > Its exceptionally unlikely for the dog bite to give you dog rabies, as the vaccine for dogs has wiped out the canine verson in the USA. This is partly incorrect. While disease variant remain in reservoirs in particular species, a dog can get rabies from a bat, a raccoon, etc. That said, in ten years, 24 people in the US got rabies in the US. That’s a pretty small chance. And if the attack happened with a domesticated dog, and if that dog was not behaving weirdly, the chance goes down even further. I’d ask the owner for the name of the vet, and ask your doctor or local animal control to contact that vet to verify vaccination. If you haven’t filed a report with animal control yet, do so. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/25 "2017-08-08T16:50:15Z")
You can get the proof of vaccination from the vet, they issue a certificate when an animal is vaccinated. When I was bitten back in…2007, I did not need any shots, but they did put me on antibiotics, which sadly tipped off an auto-immune reaction I had for about a year. Here’s hoping you have a quick healing and are back in good health quickly! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/26 "2017-08-08T17:37:05Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This is partly incorrect. On more careful reading, I think I was misunderstanding what you were saying. My apologies! ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/27 "2017-08-08T17:59:02Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Not just the receipt (which I would demand to see) but every jurisdiction I can think of issues tags with the year on it. and they are usually on the collar.\* Our county went to permanent metal tags years ago. They don’t issue a new tag with every license renewal. They do send a paper certificate, though, with the current year and the dog’s vaccination info. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/28 "2017-08-08T18:02:54Z")
Just got tetanus shot. Doctor said that rabies shot is scarce and super expensive, so not recommended unless dog was foaming at mouth, stray, etc., said rabies in American dogs is super rare. The clinic did not keep rabies shots in stock anyway. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/29 "2017-08-08T19:31:40Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Just got tetanus shot. Doctor said that rabies shot is scarce and super expensive, so not recommended unless dog was foaming at mouth, stray, etc., said rabies in American dogs is super rare. The clinic did not keep rabies shots in stock anyway. Good Lord. I was bitten by a racoon, went to the Health Department and they gave the vaccine to me in a Styrofoam box to take to my doctor. I am still immune to rabies. Despite that, when I was bitten by a dog, animal control threatened to take the dog’s head for diagnosis if the owner could not prove she had been vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/30 "2017-08-08T19:43:46Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Yeah I have their contact info. But the owner is at work and can’t retrieve the vaccine info for the dog until later today or tonight. > > I got a tetanus booster in 2009 but am probably near the tail end of it, and maybe overdue for a booster anyway. Did the dog have a collar on with any tags ? My dog collar has a tag for his rabies shot with his vet office and phone # on it . Dogs can’t get their tag for a license if the owner has no proof of a rabies shot . Was this reported to the ACO in your city or town ,the dog should be under quarantine I think it for 10 days . I was bitten by a client’s cat when I was a health aide and also had to have tetanus shot. I went to ER and the ACO was already there b/c a child was bitten on his face by a puppy that was a Doberman pinscher . The ACO told me the puppy was going to be put down. How are you doing today? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/31 "2017-08-08T19:50:46Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Just got tetanus shot. Doctor said that rabies shot is scarce and super expensive, so not recommended unless dog was foaming at mouth, stray, etc., said rabies in American dogs is super rare. The clinic did not keep rabies shots in stock anyway. How serious is the bite? I’m guessing not too bad. Puncture wounds can be a problem. Watch for infection. ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/32 "2017-08-08T19:52:36Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Just got tetanus shot. Doctor said that rabies shot is scarce and super expensive, so not recommended unless dog was foaming at mouth, stray, etc., said rabies in American dogs is super rare. The clinic did not keep rabies shots in stock anyway. Where (roughly at least) are you that rabies is treated (actually, _not_ treated) in such a cavalier manner? Around here rabies is endemic, occurring in several wild species. House pets including dogs are not guaranteed to be isolated from all potential contacts with wild animals, and so the possibility of a pet dog transmitting rabies is greater than zero. Vaccination of the dog is not always effective so while vaccination greatly shortens the odds, it does not constitute a guarantee of safety. Given the consequences of winning this particular lottery (Ding! Ding! Ding! _I got rabies!!_) I myself would not accept ‘no’ for an answer. But then, this is coming from a guy who has actually handled a number of rabid local animals and performed the necessary decapitations to have them laboratory tested and confirmed. So perhaps my viewpoint is a bit canted. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/33 "2017-08-08T19:56:55Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > Did the dog have a collar on with any tags ? My dog collar has a tag for his rabies shot with his vet office and phone # on it . Dogs can’t get their tag for a license if the owner has no proof of a rabies shot . Was this reported to the ACO in your city or town ,the dog should be under quarantine I think it for 10 days . I was bitten by a client’s cat when I was a health aide and also had to have tetanus shot. I went to ER and the ACO was already there b/c a child was bitten on his face by a puppy that was a Doberman pinscher . The ACO told me the puppy was going to be put down. How are you doing today? It was dark nighttime when I was bitten, so I couldn’t see if there was a tag on the collar. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/34 "2017-08-08T20:00:24Z")
I was bitten by a dog of questionable shot documentation, and saw my doctor. He asked me if I knew the mortality rate for rabies. I said that I didn’t and he informed me that it was 100%. He didn’t seem to be exaggerating. He sent me to a specialist who also told me what you heard about the scarcity of the vaccine, and explained that it wasn’t administered unless necessary. I was told that if the biting dog was in a situation where it could be observed for - I forget exactly how long, a week, 10 days or something that this was accaptable. (It was my friends dog, and I didn’t want it to have its head lopped off.) It was explained to me that if the dog was rabied when it bit me, it would show so in this time period and then the rabies vaccine would be administered to me. Can you keep a watch over the dog that bit you? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/35 "2017-08-08T20:00:32Z")
> [@CannyDan](#): > > Where (roughly at least) are you that rabies is treated (actually, _not_ treated) in such a cavalier manner? Around here rabies is endemic, occurring in several wild species. House pets including dogs are not guaranteed to be isolated from all potential contacts with wild animals, and so the possibility of a pet dog transmitting rabies is greater than zero. Vaccination of the dog is not always effective so while vaccination greatly shortens the odds, it does not constitute a guarantee of safety. > > Given the consequences of winning this particular lottery (Ding! Ding! Ding! _I got rabies!!_) I myself would not accept ‘no’ for an answer. > > But then, this is coming from a guy who has actually handled a number of rabid local animals and performed the necessary decapitations to have them laboratory tested and confirmed. So perhaps my viewpoint is a bit canted. 😉 I live in Austin, TX, and this incident took place in Austin. I myself wouldn’t want to take “no” for an answer either, and was pushing hard to get the vaccine, but merely asking for it isn’t enough here - apparently since the vaccine is expensive and not plentiful around here, there is a lengthy investigation process that has to be done before the vaccine can be administered. And I think the decision to administer it is in other people’s hands, not mine, at least as far as I understood it, I can’t force them to vaccinate me. AFAICT no urgent-care clinics here carry it. No other clinics or places had it, except for the ER - I certainly don’t want to die, but can’t exactly afford thousands of dollars in medical bills either. Here’s hoping the dog is indeed rabies-vaccinated and that I don’t win the rabies death lottery… ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/36 "2017-08-08T20:07:50Z")
But yes, as \*\*CannyCan \*\*pointed out, the dog’s vaccination doesn’t necessarily guarantee rabies-free status. Is there a way to twist the bureaucratic arms to get the rabies shot anyway? Any argumentative tricks to suggest? ---
**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/37 "2017-08-08T20:09:59Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I live in Austin, TX, and this incident took place in Austin. I myself wouldn’t want to take “no” for an answer either, and was pushing hard to get the vaccine, but merely asking for it isn’t enough here - apparently since the vaccine is expensive and not plentiful around here, there is a lengthy investigation process that has to be done before the vaccine can be administered. AFAICT no urgent-care clinics here carry it. No other clinics or places had it, except for the ER - I certainly don’t want to die, but can’t exactly afford thousands of dollars in medical bills either. > > Here’s hoping the dog is indeed rabies-vaccinated and that I don’t win the rabies death lottery… I understand – and sympathize. A couple of possibilities: The dog’s owner should be responsible for your out of pocket medical expenses, whether you are insured or not. Also, here (Florida) the state Department of Public Health (branches in every county) becomes involved in bite cases and can itself provide and administer rabies prophylaxis. You can ask. Be sure the incident is reported to, and recorded by, the local animal control agency. And, if this is a separate entity, also report to the local law enforcement agency. Get copies of the reports from both. That way, if you need to sue, you will have the needed documentation. This is important even if you’re able to accept the odds and skip rabies treatment, because your wound may still develop other problems. Certain infections may incubate for a week or longer before revealing themselves. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll be alright. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/38 "2017-08-08T20:10:40Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > How serious is the bite? I’m guessing not too bad. > > Puncture wounds can be a problem. Watch for infection. It’s a small but deep bite. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/39 "2017-08-08T20:15:05Z")
Call your local animal control (I am shocked that the ER did not call when you came in with a dog bite). It’s their job to determine if the dog that bit you is properly vaccinated, and to take appropriate steps if it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063/40 "2017-08-08T20:15:06Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > But yes, as \*\*CannyCan \*\*pointed out, the dog’s vaccination doesn’t necessarily guarantee rabies-free status. Is there a way to twist the bureaucratic arms to get the rabies shot anyway? Any argumentative tricks to suggest? Short of someone dumping off your body in front of the emergency room with a note pinned to your shirt that says “I TOLD YOU SO!!!”, I can’t think of any. If you happen to survive this, you might need to raise public awareness about the problem, because one person isn’t going to get that policy changed. If you happen NOT to survive this, have your heirs sue their asses off. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-bitten-by-a-dog-need-answer-fast/793063.md?page=3)